Christchurch Police have arrested three men as part of a major drug bust operation.

The investigation resulted in multiple search warrants being executed simultaneously across Christchurch last Monday.

As a result of these search warrants, three men were arrested and more than 4,700 grams of the Class B controlled drug, MDMA, were seized by police.

Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson of the National Organised Crime Group said the illicit drugs police seized during this operation have a street value of more than a million dollars and would have supplied up to 38,000 doses of harm into our community.

“Police are continuing enquiries into identifying the source countries which exported the drugs.

Thomson said “as part of the investigation we are looking at previous drug importations bought into New Zealand by this group utilising our wide network of partnerships including NZ Customs.

“We will be reaching out to our Liaison Officers as we attempt to identify those involved offshore and disrupt future opportunities to import illicit substances targeting our communities.

“The National Organised Crime Group is spread nationally and provides significant opportunity and investigation prowess to prevent, disrupt and hold to account those involved in serious and organised crime.

This is an excellent example of targeting Transnational Organised Crime (TNOC) and delivering on our intent to keep New Zealanders safe,” says Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson.

The three men, aged between 31 and 36, have been charged with importing MDMA.

They are due to reappear in Christchurch District Court on Tuesday 13 June.