A parcel containing methamphetamine that was sent from South Africa is one of the triggers that led to the arrest of a crime gang in New Zealand. Whoever sent it chose the wrong name to use on it.

Listen to this article 7 min Listen to this article 7 min On 14 June 2021, customs officials in New Zealand intercepted a parcel addressed to Quade Cooper, the name of a rugby player who formerly played for Australia's national team, the Wallabies.

Even though Cooper was in no way involved in the events that subsequently transpired, it was probably his name on the parcel that piqued the officials' interest.

They flagged and searched it, and found methamphetamine concealed inside. New Zealand authorities established that the narcotics had come from South Africa.

The country has featured in a major crackdown on an international drug-smuggling empire based in New Zealand that involved notorious organised crime groups such as the Headhunters and the Mongrel Mob, both motorcycle gangs.

The New Zealand Herald reported on 16 August that the final four of 13 offenders found guilty in the case had been sentenced. Nine received prison terms and the rest were sentenced to home detention for up to 12 months.

The New Zealand investigation into the drug smuggling empire, codenamed Operation Freya, was launched in 2020. According to a police statement issued in November 2021, it "was set up to investigate the smuggling...