An unemployed Northland man has been jailed for 19 years - one of the longest terms handed down for making and dealing the drug methamphetamine.
Frank William Murray, of Herekino, was sentenced on 18 charges, including the manufacturing and supplying of methamphetamine in the High Court at Auckland today.
The 47-year-old was cooking the drug in a trailer in locations around Northland before it was distributed in Northland, Auckland, Hawke's Bay and Wellington.
He was arrested after a four-month operation by police and customs targeting the manufacturing and supply of methamphetamine, the drug GHB (also known as fantasy), and precursor chemicals.
Detective Sergeant John Sowter said Murray received tip-offs that police were planning to execute search warrants.
Mr Sowter said Murray was the main manufacturer and supplier in a group that was active across the North Island and the drugs would have been worth millions of dollars on the street.
Police said the group was laundering the money generated from the drug deals with numerous purchases of vehicles, farm equipment, boats and building supplies worth more than $250,000. Murray was one of 16 people arrested.
Listen to more