Trans-Tasman week nets 270 kg of cannabis and 6,183 plants in NZ
Under the 14–18 September 2026 trans-Tasman week of action, NZ Police shut Auckland grow houses tied to Vietnamese organised crime, seizing over 250 kg of loose cannabis; 6,183 plants fell nationally, with 34 arrested, plus $647,690 cash and four firearms.
🇳🇿 Auckland region · New Zealand
- Arrested
- 34
- Plants destroyed
- 6,183
- Cannabis
- 270 kg
Police and Customs seized a mix of drugs in a coordinated Australia–New
Zealand week of action, executing 85 search warrants across New Zealand and
taking border enforcement action.[1][2]
In Auckland, police shut grow houses across North Shore, Auckland City and
South and West Auckland linked to Vietnamese organised crime, taking more
than a quarter-tonne of loose cannabis; about 6,180 plants were seized
nationally.[1][2] Customs’ tally put the NZ haul at 270 kg of loose
cannabis and 6,183 plants, alongside 34 arrests, $647,690 in cash, four
firearms and three vehicles.[2] Across both countries the AFP-led
operation charged 1,203 people and seized 716 kg of cannabis plus 8,701
plants.[3]
Sources
- Trans-Tasman week of action results in arrests and drug seizures. New Zealand Police, 24 September 2026. In English.
- Drug networks feel joint pressure. New Zealand Customs Service, 25 September 2026. In English.
- More than 1200 charged in Trans-Tasman illicit drug trafficking and organised crime operation. Australian Federal Police (joint release), 22 September 2026. In English.
Open questions the AI reported
- The 34 arrests covered all drug classes, not cannabis alone; cannabis-specific charges were not broken out.
- No cannabis figure for the Australian side beyond the joint 716 kg and 8,701 plants was given for this report.