New Zealand police arrest counterfeit drug distributor

Police in New Zealand have arrested a Chinese man as part of a three-year long inquiry into the international distribution of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

The 32- year-old man - so far unidentified - was arrested by Auckland Metro Crime and Operations Support detectives in Wellington on January 25 on a provisional arrest warrant. He appeared in court and was remanded on bail until next month, pending a further hearing to consider a request for his extradition to the USA.

Detective Inspector Stu Allsopp-Smith, AMCOS field crime manager, said the investigation has been carried out in conjunction with staff from various US agencies including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI).

"The investigation has uncovered a strong link between the New Zealand resident and the international supply of counterfeit pharmaceuticals [including] those used as sexual stimulants, heart medications, pain killers and other medications," said Allsopp-Smith.

Police believe the drugs were sourced from China and distributed internationally via the internet.

"The arrest also highlights the strength of International cooperation and how this can be used to combat Transnational Crime," according to Allsopp-Smith.