Major drugs bust in Northland

Nine people have been arrested and $300,000 of methamphetamine recovered in a North Island police bust this week.

The searches, conducted on properties in Auckland and Whangarei with the help of the Organised & Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ), also recovered $154,000 as part of the three-month investigation "Operation Enzone".

The cash was discovered in a paddock on a property near Kaitaia. Police also seized about $2 million in property and assets under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act.

The nine accused face multiple charges of manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine, participating in an organised criminal group and money laundering.

Detective sergeant John Sowter of OFCANZ said the group has allegedly been supplying methamphetamine to the upper North Island, Auckland, Napier and Wellington.

"It is a good result, and the culmination of some hard work by OFCANZ and police investigators," Sowter said.