PostSource: New Zealand PoliceAttribute to: Detective Senior Sergeant Michael VarnamThree people have been arrested after an investigation by the Tauranga Crime Investigation Branch targeting the importation and distribution of opium. Police became involved after parcels containing 24kg of the class B controlled drug were intercepted by Customs between 1 June and 19 July. Following further enquiries on Thursday and Friday last week, Police executed search warrants at 11 addresses in Tauranga, Papamoa, Ōmokoroa and Te Puke. This follows an arrest in April 2026, when Police executed a search warrant at a Tauranga address and located 24kg of opium. The importation and supply of opium is a concern for us, and we will continue to target the people behind it.