A coordinated international law enforcement effort has disrupted a major transnational drug trafficking syndicate, according to statements released by agencies involved in the operation. The collaboration included the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Brunei Darussalam’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), New Zealand Customs Service, New Zealand Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and Australian Border Force (ABF).
In April 2025, Singapore’s CNB received intelligence about freight parcels suspected of containing controlled drugs transiting through Singapore from the United States en route to New Zealand. The parcels were intercepted and found to contain over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’. Subsequent investigations led authorities to identify other similar shipments destined for both New Zealand and Australia.
New Zealand Customs acted on information from CNB and intercepted two additional drug-laden parcels in April and June 2025. These seizures amounted to another 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of NZ$3 million in New Zealand.
Between November 2024 and April 2025, Brunei’s NCB had seized a total of 49 kilograms of methamphetamine intended for destinations across the Middle East, Europe, East Asia, and Australasia. Authorities believe these shipments were linked to the same syndicate targeted by CNB and New Zealand Customs. The drugs were typically concealed within electronic devices and routed through courier services or virtual offices to obscure their origins.
Further intelligence sharing with AFP and ABF enabled Australian authorities to intercept multiple consignments in May 2025 containing approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine. Had these reached Australia, they would have been worth around AUD$37 million on the street—equivalent to roughly 400,000 individual deals. The drugs were hidden inside furniture as well as mixed coffee and mustard shipments.
The syndicate remains under investigation in the United States. DEA investigators suspect that the methamphetamine originated from Mexico before being imported into the U.S., then distributed onward to markets in Asia-Pacific.
John Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Asia Pacific Division, said:
“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, stated:
“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 commented:
“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 from 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 highlighted international cooperation:
“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 AFP’s international posts around the world—to prevent serious organized crime from taking hold.”
ABF Superintendent Raef McDonough emphasized border protection efforts:
“This outcome shows critical importance of intelligence-led targeting and strength of partnerships with domestic and international law enforcement and border security agencies… By working together across jurisdictions we have prevented millions dollars’ worth methamphetamine reaching Australian streets where it would have caused immeasurable harm… ABF will collaborate with partners disrupt criminal syndicates exploiting global supply chains…”
Officials say this case highlights how ongoing cooperation among agencies such as DEA,CNB, NCB,New Zealand Customs,New Zealand Police,AFP and ABF strengthens efforts against organized global drug trafficking networks.