Five men and a woman from Tauranga have been sentenced to a total of 40 years and two months' jail for their part in an organised drug manufacturing and money laundering syndicate.

The sentencing follows the large-scale surveillance operation, Operation Safari, carried out during 2010 targeting organised crime in the Bay of Plenty stretching into the Waikato and Auckland.

The six-month operation culminated with 16 raids – 12 on Tauranga properties – where police seized more than $200,000 cash, $100,000 worth of silver and gold coins and bars, nine illegal firearms, 17 cars, five motorcycles including a Harley Davidson, a Haines Hunter powerboat, a launch and properties in Omanawa and Otumoetai and large quantities of methamphetamine.

The 50 foot launch at Tauranga Bridge Marina seized in the raids.

Today Royce Duncan, 50, and Wallace Bramley, 38, were sentenced to 15 years jail and 14 years, five months respectively, for a raft of charges including the manufacturing of the Class-A drug methamphetamine, money laundering and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Dylan Corlett, 38, received four years and five months and a 35-year-old man, who currently has name suppression, received six years and four months' jail.

Tauranga woman Stacey Russell, 36, received nine months home detention for drug offences and Nigel Walker, 47, was sentenced to 12 months' home detention for money laundering.

'The syndicate was extremely well-organised, with large-scale operations across the Bay of Plenty and stretching into the Waikato and Auckland,” says Bay of Plenty District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Tim Anderson.

Weapons and drugs recovered during Operation Safari.

All of the assets seized in the operation have been, or are subject to the civil forfeiture regime where 'ill-gotten gains' are seized from offenders.

'These people are long-term offenders who essentially make their living from organised criminal activity, in this case, the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine.

'The drug dealing activity of those arrested and charged in this termination is significant and covered the spectrum from street level, to high end dealing and supply, with the estimated value of drugs distributed in excess of hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Tim says this operation has highlighted the link to property offending, with large amounts of stolen property being fed through members of this group.

'It had the technology, equipment, chemicals and capability to produce large quantities of methamphetamine with the potential to cause a great deal of harm to the community.

'Bay of Plenty Police is committed to eradicated illicit drugs in our towns and cities and bringing those involved to justice.

'Your information will help put a stop to this illegal activity. You can make a difference.”

If you have information about drug manufacture and supply or any other offending, ring your local police station.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.