Auckland drug raids: opium, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold, 400 cases of cigarettes seized

Opium, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold and 400 cases of cigarettes have been seized in a series of drug raids in Auckland.

Three people have been arrested and are charged with importing and selling opium-based products from India.

The product, Kami ni, contains opium, which is a Class B drug, Detective Inspector Chris Barry said.

The accused trio, two men and one woman, will appear in Manukau District Court later this month.

The arrests follow a series of six-way raids in Papatoetoe and Manukau this week.

Police also seized more than 400 boxes of allegedly illegally imported cigarettes and are in contact with New Zealand Customs regarding the charges under the Customs and Excise Act with an ongoing investigation into their importation.

A 31-year-old man has been charged with selling class B controlled drug opium and possessing opium as a supply.

A 58-year-old man faces the same charges and additional charges related to the importation of opium.

A 27-year-old woman has been arrested for selling opium.