Senior gang figure arrested in Canterbury meth bust

Six people have been arrested, including a senior member of the King Cobra gang, after a months-long police investigation.

More than 10 properties across Christchurch were searched this week, police said on Friday, including the gang's pad in Addington.

Police said they found a kilogram of meth and "bricks of cash" possibly worth more than $100,000.

"This has been a months-long operation, beginning in 2025, designed to target a syndicate we suspected of being a significant driver of drugs into the Canterbury district," Detective Inspector Rebecca Cotton said.

Operation Shelby got a break on 22 April when a woman flying into Christchurch with a kilogram of meth was arrested. Her driver was arrested in the airport carpark, carrying $104,000.

Both have been charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply.

Other charges for those arrested this week included participating in an organised criminal group, money laundering and conspiracy to supply methamphetamine.

Police said the arrests were a "devastating blow" to the syndicate's operations in Christchurch.

"The alleged offending has been carefully orchestrated and structured in a way to avoid raising suspicion and to protect the hierarchy," Cotton said.

"Among those arrested is a senior gang figure who attempted to use counter surveillance methods to avoid police and direct contact with the people allegedly running the drugs."

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.