Four men have been arrested after a "massive quantity" of drugs including cocaine, MDMA and ketamine were seized in a major organised crime drug bust in Canterbury this week.
As part of a joint Canterbury District Organised Crime Group and Customs investigation, investigators seized 10kg of cocaine, 10.6kg of ketamine, 24.5kg of MDMA, 6800 ecstasy tablets, 70kg of pseudoephedrine, 4600 LSD tabs, 3kg of cannabis and 550g of methamphetamine.
They also seized over $500,000 in cash, a 3D printed firearm and pill pressing equipment for producing ecstasy tablets.
According to police, the bust was part of a wider operation targeting the importation, supply and distribution of illicit drugs.
Multiple shipments of controlled drugs were intercepted at the border, while further drugs and assets were seized during a series of search warrants across Canterbury.
"The range of drugs intercepted demonstrates the persistence and increasingly brazen nature of this activity," said Customs Acting Investigations manager Nigel Barnes.
Four men aged between 27 and 35 were arrested and remained in custody.
They were due to appear in the Christchurch District Court, facing a range of charges relating to the importation, possession for supply and supply of controlled drugs.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tania Jellyman said the "intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement" between police and customs enabled the successful outcome of the investigation.
"The quantities of drugs seized during this investigation represent a significant amount of harm that has been prevented from reaching our communities," she said.
"Organised criminal groups are motivated by profit and have little regard for the damage these substances cause to individuals, families and communities."
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