Multilateral cooperation disrupts syndicate linked to global drug trafficking

          The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore (CNB),Narcotics Control Bureau of Brunei Darussalam (NCB), New Zealand Customs Service, New Zealand Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) have successfully disrupted a transnational drug trafficking syndicate. Close cooperation and timely exchange of intelligence between the agencies enabled the operation.

2.       In April 2025, CNB received information concerning freight parcels suspected to be carrying controlled drugs.  They were transiting through Singapore, and believed to have originated from the United States and bound for New Zealand. The parcels were intercepted and seized by CNB, and found to contain more than 10kg of ‘Ice’, or methamphetamine. CNB conducted follow-up investigations and through further monitoring, identified other similar parcels bound for New Zealand and Australia. 

3.       Acting on this intelligence provided by CNB, New Zealand Customs intercepted two drug-laden parcels in April 2025 and June 2025, leading to a total seizure of 10kg of methamphetamine. This would have had a street value in New Zealand of approximately NZ$3 million.  

4.       Prior to this, NCB had made multiple seizures of methamphetamine, amounting to 49kg, between November 2024 and April 2025.  The methamphetamine was destined for several countries in the Middle East, Europe, East Asia and Australasia. It was suspected that these seizures belonged to the same syndicate as CNB and New Zealand Custom’s seizures.  The modus operandi was similar - concealment of the narcotics within electronic devices and routing them through courier and virtual office services to obscure the origin of the shipments.

5.       Additional intelligence sharing with the AFP and ABF led to the Australian authorities intercepting and seizing multiple consignments in May 2025, containing a total of about 40kg of methamphetamine destined for Australia. If the methamphetamine had reached the Australian community, it would have had an estimated street value of AUD$37 million, equating to approximately 400,000 individual street deals. The illicit substances were concealed inside furniture, mixed coffee and mustard shipments. 

6.          The international drug syndicate is currently under investigation in the United States, and the DEA is pursuing all leads to identify the subjects involved, including the sources of their supply.  Based on the investigation so far, DEA investigators believe that the methamphetamine originated from Mexico and was imported into the United States for delivery into more lucrative markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

7.           John Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Asia Pacific Division, stated:

“This is another great example of how law enforcement across the globe can join forces and collaborate to protect our citizens and successfully take down transnational organized crime groups. The DEA will continue to leverage its international partnerships to combat the expansion of Mexican cartels such as Sinaloa and CJNG into the Asia Pacific who seek to capitalize on the lucrative drug market in Asia and Oceania.”

AC Aaron Tang, Deputy Director of CNB for Operations, said:

“Drug syndicates that attempt to exploit Singapore’s infrastructure and connectivity as a major transhipment and logistics hub will not find us to be a safe haven nor safe route for their illegal activities. This operation should be a clear and unequivocal message that we will not tolerate it. CNB will continue to work closely with our international partners to detect, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking networks.”

Acting Deputy Director, Pengiran Saiful Rizal of NCB, said:

“Although the illicit drugs were not destined for Brunei’s market, the volume seized has already surpassed the country’s previous record in 2020’s Operation Musang King. Brunei Darussalam will continue to remain vigilant against criminal syndicates seeking to exploit our strategic location as a transit point. Strict enforcement measures will be maintained to ensure that Brunei Darussalam remains protected against any syndicate or groups that attempt to exploit our nation or threaten and undermine the peace and security of our country.”

New Zealand Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams acknowledged the collaboration with the CNB, DEA, NCB, AFP and ABF and said:

“As this international operation shows, combining intelligence and timely action between the United States, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand and Australia has led to effective targeting, resulting in successfully stopping theses shipments of methamphetamine from getting into our communities, where it would have caused considerable harm. New Zealand pays one of the highest prices in the world for illicit drugs such as methamphetamine or ‘Ice’, which makes us a lucrative destination. A transnational criminal network requires a transnational law enforcement approach to tackle it, and we are appreciative of the support and relationships we have gained through this operation. Looking ahead, New Zealand will continue to build on our successful collaboration with Singapore, the United States, Brunei, and Australia to identify consignments destined for our shores.” 

Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson of the New Zealand National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) at New Zealand Police, stated:

“Operation Amalgam is a joint NZ Police and Customs investigation that ran for a 12-month period identifying more than 90 importations of the Class A controlled drug methamphetamine intended for Aotearoa New Zealand. Approximately 50% of these attempted importations were seized by Law Enforcement Agencies overseas and in New Zealand. NZ Police have made 16 arrests holding those to account who would prey on our communities with little or no regard to the impact that drug addiction and related crime causes. The strength of Operation Amalgam was in the tremendous partnerships we grew domestically and internationally. Our partnerships strongly supported the disruption of this supply chain and has prevented significant future harm and crime across Aotearoa. The collaboration with our international law enforcement partners is a success story that demonstrates what can be achieved when a collective effort is taken focusing on intelligence and investigation across Law Enforcement. The collaboration between Singapore, the United States, Brunei, New Zealand and Australia has embedded a partnership that is both valued and effective in keeping communities safe.”  

AFP Detective Superintendent Peta Lankester said the joint operation highlighted the important of international cooperation and the AFP’s strong law enforcement partnerships in Australia and around the world.

“The AFP is proud to work alongside our Commonwealth and international law enforcement partners to target, disrupt and prosecute those attempting to import harmful, illicit drugs into our communities. This operation is another example of the importance of intelligence sharing between law enforcement, bolstered by the AFP’s international posts around the world, to prevent the stranglehold of transnational serious and organised crime and to keep Australians safe.”

ABF Superintendent Raef McDonough said the ABF remains resolute in stopping the importation of dangerous narcotics at the Australian border.

“This outcome shows the critical importance of intelligence-led targeting and the strength of our partnerships with domestic and international law enforcement and border security agencies. By working together across jurisdictions, we have prevented millions of dollars’ worth of methamphetamine from reaching Australian streets, where it would have caused immeasurable harm to our communities. The ABF will collaborate with our partners to disrupt criminal syndicates that attempt to exploit global supply chains and protect Australians from the scourge of illicit drugs.”

Photos 1 and 2: Drug-laden parcel bound for New Zealand found to contain more than 10kg of ‘Ice’ seized by CNB in April 2025.

Photos 3, 4, 5 and 6: 7.8kg intercept of methamphetamine concealed within speakers, seized by New Zealand Customs Service.

8.          The positive outcome underscores the strength of strong collaboration among the DEA, CNB, NCB, New Zealand Customs, New Zealand Police, AFP and ABF and their shared commitment to tackling the growing threat of organised and global drug trafficking. The agencies will continue to build on this partnership, deepening operational cooperation and intelligence exchange to stay ahead of evolving transnational drug networks and operations. 

UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU OF SINGAPORENARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
NEW ZEALAND CUSTOMS SERVICE
NEW ZEALAND POLICE
AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE 

22 SEPTEMBER 2025