ARRESTS AT FERRY PART OF DRUGS RING BUST

Two suspected members of an organised crime ring with links to Asian
syndicates have been arrested getting off a ferry in Wellington.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tom Fitzgerald, of Christchurch, said the
ring was broken yesterday after months of investigation by police and
Customs into methamphetamine dealing.

"There are links to Asian organised crime syndicates throughout New
Zealand, and distribution has been through local, well-established
organised crime syndicates, a number of whom are long-term organised
crime associates," he said.

Search warrants were executed in Wellington, Christchurch, and
Auckland. Police had detected methamphetamine dealing "well in excess
of $100,000 a week" and had found pure methamphetamine, or P, valued
at more than $400,000.

Eighteen people in New Zealand are now facing charges, including
supplying methamphetamine and conspiracy to supply
methamphetamine.

Two people alleged to have been travelling the country distributing
methamphetamine were arrested in Wellington as they disembarked from
an early-morning ferry from Picton, Mr Fitzgerald
said.

They were charged with conspiring to supply methamphetamine. A further
charge of supplying methamphetamine was likely.

Twenty police and Customs staff were involved over months of
investigation, and 120 staff were involved in yesterday's raids.