The Police Minister has defended deporting 11 Vietnamese nationals, believed to be part of an organised crime group, after a major drug bust.

The operation targeted 30 rented Auckland properties.

About 3000 plants were destroyed, along with 48 kilograms of dried cannabis - valued at $18 million.

But Mark Mitchell says deporting looked to be less of a hassle than going through the courts.

"They were here illegally, they were going to be a big cost to the taxpayer - the police and Immigration worked together, they had discretion around this and they thought the best thing to do was put them on a plane straight back to Vietnam."

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The Police Minister has defended deporting 11 Vietnamese nationals, believed to be part of an organised crime group, after a major drug bust.
The operation targeted 30 rented Auckland properties.
About 3000 plants were destroyed, along with 48 kilograms of dried cannabis - valued at $18 million.
But Mark Mitchell says deporting looked to be less of a hassle than going through the courts.
"They were here illegally, they were going to be a big cost to the taxpayer - the police and Immigration worked together, they had discretion around this and they thought the best thing to do was put them on a plane straight back to Vietnam."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Mark Mitchell: Police Minister defends deporting 11 Vietnamese nationals as part of drug bust

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4c10a8a8-9c23-4a23-8db5-b21e00629ded/transcript

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