Police sting nabs 200 litres of mānuka honey from organised crime group

During the July bust on an organised criminal group, police found 200 litres of mānuka honey, which an officer told <i>1 News</i> he believed the owners were going to export.

After police swarmed an Otahuhu property with a search warrant, they made a sweet discovery.

During the July bust on an organised criminal group, police found 200 litres of mānuka honey, which an officer told 1 News he believed the owners were going to export.

Police seized the honey, but did not charge anyone in relation to it.

Mānuka honey is renowned for its natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Bees produce the special honey after they pollinate the native New Zealand mānuka plant.

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Premium quality mānuka honey is literally like liquid gold, fetching hefty prices here and abroad, particularly in China.

A box of 12 500g jars is currently listed on TradeMe for $360.

But not all mānuka honey is equal. It is graded according its quality and is sometimes diluted to make it even more profitable.