New Zealand / Crime

Man sentenced to prison for conspiring to import meth

17:36 pm on 20 December 2018

A Malaysian man has been sentenced to seven years and one month in prison for conspiring to import methamphetamine.

Photo: Wikimedia commons

Mau Seng Ling appeared in court today following an investigation into a Taiwanese-linked drug syndicate that was operating in New Zealand.

Since the investigation was launched in 2015, four others have been convicted for serious drug dealing offences that include importing, and conspiring to import methamphetamine.

Police and Customs were also able to seize six kilograms of methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $6 million.

Detective Superintendent Greg Williams said Ling's conviction sends a strong message about the seriousness of methamphetamine importation.

"Police are under no illusion that there is a very high demand for this drug," he said.

"The damage to individuals, families and whanau from methamphetamine is immeasurable.

"Our work to disrupt these organised criminal groups who do not care at all about the devastation this drug causes to our community is ongoing."