# Police welcome sentencing of Wairarapa drug kingpin

Date: 31 Oct 2026
Released by: New Zealand Police

## MediaRelease.co Summary

Reuben Flutey, 34, described by Police as a pivotal player in a Wairarapa organised methamphetamine supply chain, has been sentenced in the Wellington District Court to 10 years and five months in prison after facing 18 charges, including importing methamphetamine. A Wairarapa CIB investigation into methamphetamine distribution between March 2023 and December 2024 saw nearly $200,000 worth of assets, including drugs, a classic car, motorbikes, jetskis and cash, seized. Four associates have been sentenced and four more await sentencing.

## Original release

Police welcome the 10-year, five-month sentence handed down to Reuben Flutey, a pivotal player in the Wairarapa organised drug supply chain. The 34-year-old was sentenced last week in the Wellington District Court. He faced 18 charges including importing methamphetamine, possession for supply of methamphetamine, participating in organised crime, conspiring to deal methamphetamine, possession for supply of cocaine and supply of methamphetamine, cannabis, ecstasy, and ketamine. His arrest, and subsequent sentencing, comes after a significant investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine by the Wairarapa CIB between March 2023 and December 2024. The investigation uncovered Flutey and his network supplied millions of dollars’ worth of the drug across the country. During a series of search warrants into Flutey and his associates, nearly $200,000 worth of assets, including drugs, a classic car, motorbikes, jetskis and cash were seized. Four of his associates have already been sentenced, while another four will be sentenced in late November and December. Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Skoglund says the investigation and sentence is a major blow to organised crime in Wairarapa. “Methamphetamine, and organised crime, contributes significant harm to our communities and destroys families,” he says. “This result also sends a strong message to those who engage in this type of criminal activity. There is no place in our region, or country, for behaviour like this, and offenders will be held to account.”

## Key details

- Issued by: New Zealand Police
- Published: 31 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: New Zealand

Original source: https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/police-welcome-sentencing-wairarapa-drug-kingpin
MediaRelease.co canonical URL: https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr02513-police-welcome-sentencing-of-wairarapa-drug-kingpin-31102026.html