Police Traffic Alcohol Group catches more than just impaired drivers

Wellington Police District Traffic Alcohol Group has been catching more than just impaired drivers in recent times.

Acting Road Policing Manager Senior Sergeant Doug Rowan says last night, about 11pm, the Traffic Alcohol Group (TAG) was working in the Upper Hutt area, when a Highway Patrol Constable working with them stopped a car acting suspiciously.

"Three male occupants of the vehicle were found to have a total of 1275 paua inside the car, from a dive on the Wairarapa Coast."

Doug Rowan says Ministry of Fisheries staff were contacted and the men were detained under the Fisheries Act, with the paua, their car and diving gear confiscated.

The trio, believed to be from the Lower Hutt area, will now face charges, laid by MAF.