A 54-year-old man will be extradited from New Zealand to Queensland after he was arrested in 2019 in relation to one of Queensland's largest drug seizures.
In 2019, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) led a major multi-agency investigation into an international organised crime syndicate linked to the distribution of large quantities of high purity drugs.
During the complex investigation, police seized 766kg of MDMA powder in one of Queensland and Australia's most significant drug seizures.
As part of this operation and as a result of cross-agency international collaboration, 200kg of methamphetamine (ice) was also seized by police in New Zealand in 2019.
In addition to numerous people arrested and charged in Australia, New Zealand police arrested and charged a now 54-year-old United Kingdom man, with charges relating to the seizure of 200kg of methamphetamine.
QPS will allege the 54-year-old man was linked to the importation and storage of the seized MDMA in Brisbane before his arrest in New Zealand.
The man appeared in Napier District Court on December 13, 2024, where QPS detectives were successful in their application for his extradition back to Queensland today, Tuesday, February 4.
The man has been charged with possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4 and supplying dangerous drug.
He is expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 5.
Investigations are ongoing.
Crime and Intelligence Command Detective Superintendent Craig McGrath said the arrest and extradition exemplifies the great partnership between the international policing agencies.
"We're grateful to our colleagues in New Zealand Police who have worked with us throughout the 2019 investigation and more recently to successfully extradite the man to Queensland,"
"We have zero tolerance for anyone who participates in the trafficking of dangerous drugs and as demonstrated in this case we will hold any alleged offender to account."
Earlier: QPS seize 766kg of MDMA in targeted drug operation – Queensland Police News
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