A multi-agency investigation has dismantled an Auckland criminal syndicate being operated by Vietnamese nationals, with up to $25m worth of cannabis and $100,000 in cash located and seized.
Police executed 53 search warrants at addresses across the Auckland region as part of Operation Beryl, a multi-agency investigation with the Ministry of Business, Employment and Innovation (MBIE) and Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
Forty-two significant cannabis crop grows were located as a result of the warrants, with nearly 7000 plants and approximately 10kg of packaged cannabis seized. This has a street value between $16m and $25m.
Up to $100,000 in cash was also located and seized, police said.
Ten people were arrested and expected to appear in the Waitākere, North Shore and Counties Manukau courts over the coming days.
Police intelligence indicates that this crime syndicate was predominantly operating across the Waitematā and Counties Manukau police districts.
Waitematā Detective Sergeant David Coombridge said the arrests follow an inquiry into criminal syndicates involving Vietnamese nationals where members primarily used residential properties to set up "sophisticated" indoor cannabis growing systems.
"These arrests should serve as a warning to those that may be involved in these kinds of drug cultivation, drug dealing and money laundering operations, that police will hold them to account."
MBIE national manager compliance David Campbell said the investigation was an excellent example of cooperation across government agencies.
"As a result of Police and MBIE Compliance's interactions with these migrants, we are now investigating the involvement of a number accredited employers."
He reminded migrant workers of the need to be aware of those who would exploit them.
"If you are being asked to pay large amounts of money to an offshore agent to travel and work in New Zealand, it is highly likely that this is part of a fraudulent scam."
Twelve people are being deported as a result of the operation.
Nine of them are migrants unlawfully in New Zealand, while a further three will be deported this weekend. Three others on temporary visas have been served deportation liability notices, and potential deportation liability is being investigated for another 14.
Immigration is looking to expedite deportations for those in breach of their visa conditions or who are here unlawfully.
Police said it cannot rule out further changes and arrests related to Operation Beryl.
It also said officers would be working alongside INZ in relation to migrant exploitation.
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