Police have arrested nine people and seized property after executing a series of raids on properties in Bay of Plenty and Auckland today relating to synthetic cannabis manufacturing and money laundering.
The pre-planned search warrants were performed on properties by police and MPI staff in Tauranga, Papamoa, Mt Maunganui and West Auckland.
One of those properties raided was a business on Birch Rd, Tauranga - the D.Lish Hangi lunch bar.
D.Lish Hangi has also been in trouble with the law before.
In 2017, the company was fined thousands of dollars for its part in a black market paua ring.
Police say multiple kilograms of synthetic cannabis were located and those arrested will face a significant number of charges relating to manufacturing a psychoactive substance, possessing a psychoactive substance for supply, selling a psychoactive substance, and money laundering.
Officers also located firearms at two of the properties searched including a rifle and a sawn-off shotgun.
Assets were also seized in the raids including a residential property in Tauranga, multiple motor vehicles, including a Hummer, motorcycle and jet-ski and $18,000 in cash.
Police say the value of assets seized is approximately $500,000.
It is believed the raids are the first operation for a new organised crime taskforce set up this year in Bay of Plenty - the first in New Zealand outside Auckland and Wellington.
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