Fisheries officers and police have smashed a black market paua ring after a man was found with almost 200kg of the shellfish in early morning raids.
His arrest followed a two-month coordinated investigation into the illegal supply and sale of black market paua in the Wellington region, Ministryof Fisheries' Investigations Manager, Mike Green, said.
Up to 35 officers, including police, searched private homes and a business in Wellington and the Opotiki areas during today's raids.
They seized seized five vehicles, two freezers, money and assorted dive gear.
Fisheries said a number of people including divers had been spoken to and it was expected some would appear in court.
Most could face serious Fishery Act charges and be liable for up to five years in prison and/or $250,000 fines if convicted, it said.
"This has been a long and resource-intense enquiry involving Ministry of Fisheries' staff from all around the North Island and the top of the South," Mr Green said.
"The termination follows many hours of good old-fashioned surveillance and investigation work."
