Auckland police seize 500kg of cannabis and MDMA in major drug raids

Five-hundred kilograms of cannabis and other drugs were seized by police in Auckland. Photo / NZ Police

By RNZ

Five-hundred kilograms of cannabis and other drugs have been seized by police in Auckland.

It came as police searched a number of houses in West Auckland on Thursday and found several of the properties were being used to grow cannabis.

Police said MDMA, ketamine and a large amount of cash was also found.

Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said the searches had been part of a continued effort by police to crack down on “criminals profiting from the sale of drugs”.

Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill . Photo / Sam Hurley

“Cultivation of cannabis at this level is organised crime and the action taken by police will impact those facilitating this activity and lessen the residual harm being caused.

“We’re particularly pleased to remove the MDMA and ketamine from circulation, given the significant risk that it creates in the community”.

A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged and would appear in the Auckland District Court next Wednesday.

He had so far been charged with cultivation of cannabis but police said more charges were likely.

Darvill said investigations into other people involved would continue.

-RNZ