Pair accused of importing illicit drugs worth more than $500K

Turoia Te Keeti was jointly charged with being a party to importing ketamine.

The 23-year-old was today remanded without plea on bail to a Wellington address for two weeks to seek legal aid.

Three vehicles and more than $130,000 worth of cryptocurrency were also seized following the arrests last week.

Police say inquiries are continuing and further arrests were possible.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dye says police and customs would continue to investigate, and hold to account, those involved in the importation and distribution of controlled drugs in New Zealand.

“Police are committed to investigating both individuals and organised criminal groups who cause harm to the community through the distribution of controlled drugs.

“We will ensure all legal steps possible are taken to disrupt their criminal activity, to put them before the court and to seize any assets or profits accumulated as a result.”

Acting chief customs officer Rachael Manning said drug detector dogs, investigators and other specialist teams were used in the operation.

She said the removal of drugs estimated to be worth more than half a million dollars off the streets would help to prevent the subsequent economic and social harm they could cause.