Two people have been arrested following a major police investigation into what authorities describe as one of New Zealand’s most prolific dark web drug operations, involving an estimated $1.2 million in transactions.
According to a report by 1News, the arrests are part of Operation Laver, an ongoing effort by police to crack down on online drug suppliers using the dark web. Sergeant Reece Sirl said investigators had been tracking a high-volume account operating on the country’s largest dark web marketplace.
The account was allegedly linked to approximately 2800 drug transactions over nine months, from June 2025 to March 2026.
"We estimate the value of these transactions over nine months is around $1.2 million,” Sirl said, as quoted by 1News.
"These transactions involved around 13 different types of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, GBL and ketamine," 1News has quoted.
According to 1News, police executed a search warrant at a rural property in northern Auckland late last week, where they discovered a range of drugs at different stages of preparation for distribution. Officers also seized around $55,000 in cash.
A 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman have since been arrested and appeared in the North Shore District Court. They are facing multiple charges related to the sale and supply of Class A, B and C controlled drugs.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, with the possibility of further charges and additional arrests.
"We cannot rule out further charges for either of these two individuals, and any further persons identified from evidence located during the ongoing investigation," he said, as quoted by 1News.
Sirl also issued a warning to others operating in the dark web drug trade.
"Many dark net vendors believe they are operating with impunity. However, they should be aware that even though they are choosing to operate in the shadows, they are not invisible to police and not immune to prosecution," 1News has quoted.
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