A Wairarapa man involved in a drug supply network distributing millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine across New Zealand has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison.
Ruben Flutey, 34, was sentenced to 10 years and five months in prison at the Wellington District Court last week, following a lengthy police investigation into organised drug dealing in the region.
He faced 18 charges, including importing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and cocaine for supply, participating in organised crime and conspiring to deal methamphetamine.
The charges also included supplying cannabis, ecstasy and ketamine.
Flutey's arrest followed an investigation by Wairarapa CIB into methamphetamine distrubution between March 2023 and December 2024.
Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Skoglund said the investigation uncovered a network involving Flutey and his associates, who supplied millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine across the country.
A series of search warrants resulted in the seizure of nearly $200,000 worth of assets, including drugs, cash, a classic car, motorbikes and jetskis.
Four of Flutey's associates had already been sentenced, with another four set for sentencing in late November and December.
Skoglund said the investigation and sentencing was a "major blow" to organised crime in the Wairarapa region.
“Methamphetamine, and organised crime, contributes significant harm to our communities and destroys families,” he said.
“This result also sends a strong message to those who engage in this type of criminal activity. There is no place in our region, or country, for behaviour like this, and offenders will be held to account.”
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