New Zealand Police and Customs joined Australian agencies in a week of coordinated action against organised drug groups, announced in September 2026. In New Zealand, 85 search warrants were carried out, and airport and border enforcement was stepped up.
Police closed more cannabis grow houses in Auckland that they link to Vietnamese organised crime. More than a quarter tonne of loose cannabis and about 6,180 plants were seized nationwide. Customs arrested one passenger at Auckland Airport. Police made 34 arrests in total, for drug and other offences.
No one is named, and the release does not say how many of the arrests involve cannabis.
Why it matters: Only one of the 34 arrests is described as an airport passenger, and the release does not break down how many involve cannabis.
Source: New Zealand Police media release, 2026-09-24. Forgotten Prisoner's account is based on this reporting. An arrest or charge is not proof of guilt.