Summarised by Centrist
Police and Customs have intercepted New Zealand’s largest shipment of gamma butyrolactone (GBL), seizing nearly 2,000 litres of the Class B drug and arresting four men in a Wellington-based sting operation.
The operation, dubbed “Hermes”, was a six-month investigation led by the National Organised Crime Group with Customs and specialist units. It targeted a commercial shipment at the border, where officers uncovered 1,950 litres of GBL concealed in cargo. GBL, commonly referred to as Fantasy or liquid ecstasy, can cause memory loss, confusion, and has a high risk of overdose.
“This seizure has a street value of $14 million and would have provided more than a million doses,” said Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson.
“This is believed to be the largest ever seizure of drugs at New Zealand’s border,” said Chief Customs Officer Rachael Manning.
In addition to the GBL shipment, Customs intercepted multiple imports of methamphetamine totalling 10 kilograms, with a street value of $3.75 million.
Search warrants were executed this week across Levin, Kapiti, Porirua, Lower Hutt, and Wellington. Four men, aged 38 to 75, are facing a range of charges including importation of meth and GBL, and possession for supply of GBL, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Two remain in custody. The others are due back in Wellington District Court in mid and late September.
Authorities also seized vehicles and boats during the raids as part of the asset recovery phase.
