Police and Customs have sprung upon a $37 million methamphetamine shipment concealed among machine parts sent through air cargo.

Seven people face criminal charges and 124 kilograms of methamphetamine has been prevented from reaching New Zealand communities.

Operation Vault was launched after Customs intelligence specialists and detectives from the National Organised Crime Group identified an importation in June 2025.

In appearance, it was a shipment of machine parts, but it aroused Customs’ interest as it was destined for a group allegedly connected to the Killer Beez.

This shipment and two further imports containing machine parts were examined by Customs investigators. No controlled drugs were found in the shipments but authorities were on alert.

“Police will allege these were sent as ‘dry runs’ or ‘test runs’ before the shipment containing the controlled drugs was sent,” Detective Inspector Tom Gollan says.

This week, that importation allegedly arrived concealing 124kg of methamphetamine from Canada in machine parts.

Six men aged between 20 and 62 and a 26-year-old woman have been arrested and will appear in the Auckland District Court. Photo / NZ Police

“The group had made extensive preparations to receive and distribute the methamphetamine, including hiring a rental truck and fork hoist to assist them,” said Detective Inspector Gollan.

Five search warrants were executed by Police and Customs at Auckland addresses on Thursday.

Authorities located around $36,000 in cash, and 392 grams of cocaine.

Six men, aged between 20 and 62, and a 26-year-old woman have been arrested and will appear in the Auckland District Court.

Those arrested have been charged with the importation of methamphetamine and participation in an organised criminal group.

“The quantity of methamphetamine would have gone on to cause significant harm to our communities and is yet another fantastic outcome because of ongoing joint work by Police and Customs.

“The group involved have no regard for their anti-social behaviour and are purely motivated by the monetary profits.”

Customs Investigations manager Dominic Adams said the use of dry runs or test runs is quite common practice for serious and organised crime groups operating internationally.

Around $36,000 in cash was located as search warrants were carried out ,police said. Photo / NZ Police

“Law enforcement works closely with its partners across the globe to keep track of new and emerging trends – dry runs are not a new trick. Customs and Police have systems in place to identify these and remain one step ahead of these criminals,” said Adams.

“It doesn’t matter how criminals attempt to conceal and move their drugs across the border, Customs and our Police partners have the skills, intelligence and technology to find the drugs and track down the criminals trying to smuggle them in.”

Suspicions about drug smuggling can be reported confidentially to 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

By the numbers:

– 124kg is an estimated 6.2 million doses.

– $129.9m worth of social harm.

– $37.2m retail value of methamphetamine.