Police seize cocaine, weapons and $16k cash after Lower Hutt traffic stop

A Lower Hutt man faces the courts after a police search found eight bags of cocaine, a pair of knuckle dusters, two hammers and a waist pack stuffed with cash.

A police dog handler and partner spotted a vehicle speeding around Waterloo Rd yesterday afternoon.

After pulling it over, officers noticed a hammer stashed in the driver’s door, “which raised safety concerns”, Senior Sergeant Paul Fleck said.

The officers searched the vehicle and found a second hammer under the passenger seat.

A pair of knuckle dusters and bags containing cocaine were also found.

Both occupants of the vehicle were searched and police discovered a waist pack containing several thousand dollars in cash.

About 9g of cocaine and more than $16,000 in cash was seized. Photo / NZ Police

After observing an occupant leaning over a nearby fence, police checked the area and found two stacks of cash.

“Police arrested a man, and approximately 9g of cocaine and over $16,000 in cash was seized, along with the weapons and a mobile phone,” Fleck said.

A 24-year-old was arrested and appeared in the Hutt Valley District Court today.

He is due to reappear next month on charges of possessing an offensive weapon and possession of cocaine for supply.

It comes as cocaine use across New Zealand is at a record-breaking high, according to new wastewater testing data.

It is the first time cocaine use has exceeded MDMA use in New Zealand.

“Cocaine consumption has been increasing since mid-2022. Cocaine carries increased risk of a few harms, including increased addiction and overdose,” said Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm.