A Mongrel Mob member and four associates have been charged after police investigating the sale of methamphetamine led to the seizure of thousands of vapes believed to contain banned substance Etomidate.
Police were carrying out search warrants in Upper Hutt, Wellington, Tawa, Pauatahanui and Auckland as part of an investigation targeting the sale of methamphetamine when the discovery was made.
Etomidate can cause involuntary muscle jerking or twitching, loss of coordination, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, breathing difficulties, or hyperventilation, low blood pressure, low heart rate, nausea or vomiting and loss of consciousness.
More than $100,000 in cash; approximately 2.8kgs of methamphetamine; 70g of cocaine; 4L of GBL; several firearms, including a semi-automatic; and ammunition were also seized.
Police also restrained more than $1 million in assets, including a house; six cars, including two Ferrari convertible sports cars; and five motorcycles, including a Harley Davidson and two Victory motorbikes; and a quad bike.
Five people were arrested and charged with multiple offences, police said, with further arrests likely.
Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Heald said the significant amount of vapes was "particularly concerning as these are products being peddled to vulnerable people in our community".
"It goes without saying that drugs cause so much harm in our community – not only to those who become addicted, but to the families of those people who get hooked, and the people who then become victims of the crimes they commit to feed their habit.
"It’s remarkable to think of the harm the offenders impose on our communities, and the luxuries they are then affording themselves in the process."
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