Key Players Taken Out in Methamphetamine Bust

Southern Police have today arrested two North Island men who they allege are lynchpins in the supply and distribution of methamphetamine into Southland.

Dubbed Operation Queen, police targeted the distribution and sale of methamphetamine into Invercargill and the wider Southland area, with a goal to stop the drug's supply at source.

In a combined sting, Invercargill and Southern District Police organised crime squads executed two warrants, one in Hamilton and the other in Auckland.

They arrested a 46-year-old Hamilton man who had previously lived in Invercargill and a 43-year-old man living in Auckland.

The pair is appearing in the Auckland and Hamilton courts today on methamphetamine supply charges.

During the warrants Police also seized equipment believed to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, a quantity of methamphetamine and cannabis, and $4000 in cash.

Police believe that as a result of Operation Queen, part of this manufacturing operation has been shut down.

Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis, of the Southern District Organised Crime Squad, says that the pair is alleged to be the main perpetrators of the supply chain for methamphetamine into Southland.

Police believe their activities have resulted in methamphetamine with a street value of between $150,000 and $200,000 being sold into Invercargill.

Police also allege that the pair made more than eight trips between Auckland and Invercargill to source methamphetamine for sale into the southern city.

"Southern Police are committed to continued targeting of anyone who becomes involved in the distribution and sale of methamphetamine into our region. This drug is money-driven and people involved have no concern or care for the level of harm it wrecks on our Southern communities."

The operation, which has been ongoing for the past four months, is the third major operation that Southern District Police have undertaken to target methamphetamine supply and distribution over the past two years.

It follows on from Operation Rocky in 2011 and Operation Moses this year. Both highlighted that significant quantities of methamphetamine are sourced from outside the district.