10 people arrested

The illicit drugs have a street value of about $5 million pa’anga.

Nine men and three women have been arrested so far in relation to the drugs that washed up on beaches late last month.

Ten of the suspects including three foreign nationals were apprehended in Vava’u and two in Tongatapu.

They are facing criminal charges relating to possession and engaging with others in the supply of illicit drugs. Some of whom have been charged for intentionally lying to Police contravening Section 29 of the Illicit Drugs Control Act.

They have been charged with a range of charges including murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault and disorderly behaviour.

The first of those charged will appear in the Blenheim District Court today, Police said in a statement.

The scenes are no longer cordoned off but Police will continue to have an active presence in the area as they continue their investigation into the incident.

Up to five million dollars' worth of drugs was seized in a major operation targeting the importation of methamphetamine and other drugs into New Zealand.

A New Zealand man has allegedly been operating overseas since 2016, sending drugs to associates back here via multiple countries and using a variety of ways to conceal the drugs.

He was arrested at the border in Italy on February 2.

Police have also arrested six of his alleged associates living in New Zealand after search warrants were carried out throughout the wider Auckland region last week.