A Police investigation has swooped in on allegedly one of New Zealand's most prolific sellers of illegal drugs on the dark web.
Operation Laver sees a continued focus by the National Organised Crime Group at putting pressure on drug importers and suppliers operating on the dark web.
Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Sirl says the investigation targeted a prolific user on the largest New Zealand dark web server.
Police will allege the account was used to carry out around 2,800 individual drug transactions between June 2025 and March 2026.
"We estimate the value of these transactions over nine-months is around $1.2 million," Detective Senior Sergeant Sirl says.
"These transactions involved around 13 different types of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, GBL and ketamine."
Police executed a search warrant at a rural property in northern Auckland late last week.
Detective Senior Sergeant Sirl says a concoction of drugs were located at the property in various stages of preparation for supply to dark net customers.
Around $55,000 in cash was also seized.
A 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were arrested and appeared before the North Shore District Court.
A significant number of charges involving the sale and supply of class A, B and C controlled drugs have been laid in the North Shore District Court.
"We cannot rule out further charges for either of these two individuals, and any further persons identified from evidence located during the ongoing investigation," Detective Senior Sergeant Sirl says.
It is yet another investigation disrupting illicit drug operations in New Zealand attempting to hide away on the dark web.
"Many dark net vendors believe they are operating with impunity," he says.
"However, they should be aware that even though they are choosing to operate in the shadows, you are not invisible to Police and not immune to prosecution."
Police, along with law enforcement partners, are continuing to expand investigative capabilities on dark net and other encrypted platforms.
