Raids 'huge blow' to drug trade in Canterbury

One of the biggest drug busts ever seen in Ashburton has led to more than 160 charges against 18 people, mainly associated with the Mongrel Mob.

The officer in charge of Operation Mastiff, Senior Sergeant Leigh Jenkins, Sub-Area Commander for Ashburton, said a series of search warrants in the area this week dealt a huge blow to the methamphetamine trade and those involved.

Among those arrested is a man who faces more than 60 charges of supplying methamphetamine.

More than 100 officers from Ashburton, Christchurch and Timaru were involved in the operation, including members of the armed offenders squad, dog units, and the specialist search group.

Said Jenkins: “This is really significant – we’ve taken into custody local people who have done an incredible amount of harm in our community. We have dealt a blow to organised crime and gang activity in our area.”

The operation, dubbed Operation Mastiff, is part of Operation Cobalt, which is targeting and disrupting unlawful gang activity across New Zealand.

There were 29 warrants conducted at addresses across Ashburton since Tuesday.

Jenkins said the items seized include drugs with a likely street value in excess of $70,000 - including methamphetamine, cannabis, LSD, and other restricted drugs - nearly $20,000 in cash, two shotguns, a crossbow, seven imitation firearms, ammunition, and a number of other restricted weapons and prohibited firearms parts.

Jenkins said those arrested are all Ashburton locals and mainly associated with the Mongrel Mob, while others have links to Mangu Kaha, Headhunters, and Highway 61 gangs.

"As this operation has shown, we can - and will - call on the resources of our district colleagues in Christchurch and Timaru to hold these people to account," Jenkins said.

Also seized in the Operation Mastiff search warrants was a small number of power tools, believed to have been stolen in a burglary in the town.

“I’m confident that these arrests will go a long way to helping ensure our community is safe and feels safe,” Jenkins says.

Significant arrests
A 45-year-old man faces 67 charges, including 61 charges of offering to supply methamphetamine, and two charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. He has been remanded in custody to reappear in Christchurch District Court on September 19.

A 50-year-old man faces 26 charges of possession for supplying methamphetamine, and nine of possession of a Class C drug. He has been remanded in custody to reappear in Christchurch District Court on September 19.

A 28-year-old man faces nine charges, including six charges of supplying cannabis and one of conspiracy to deal methamphetamine.

A 40-year-old man faces nine charges of conspiracy to deal methamphetamine.

A 53-year-old man faces seven charges of possession of a Class A drug and one charge of breaching a protection order by being in possession of an imitation firearm.

In total, 18 people face approximately 165 charges, mainly relating to the supply of methamphetamine.

Most are expected to appear in court in either Ashburton or Christchurch over coming days, Jenkins said.