Police have seized tens of thousands in fake cash from the site of an Auckland cannabis cultivation.
The counterfeit currency shown by police included notes from $5 to $50.
A 29-year-old man is set to appear in court after ammunition and a firearm were also found at the Pukekohe address.
The arrest followed a search on November 29, a police spokesperson said today.
The man is charged with cultivating cannabis and presenting a forged document.
The search was executed as part of an "ongoing investigation into the production and use of forged currency".
Sergeant Tod Kirker said there have been a number of recent reports of forged bank notes in the South Auckland community.
"As a result of the search warrant, our team found that counterfeit bank notes were being manufactured at the address, and we also found a large sum of forged banknotes in the final stages of being ready for distribution and use in the community," he said.
"The sum of counterfeit notes would add up to tens of thousands. We also located a firearm, ammunition, and cannabis plants."
The police statement called it a "cannabis grow operation".
The announcement came with a warning – and some advice on how to spot the bogus currency.
"On close inspection, anyone should be able to recognise that these supposed banknotes are fakes," Kirker said.
"One indicator we have observed with the counterfeit currency seized, has been that the notes hold their folded state if scrunched or folded gently, where legitimate banknotes generally don't do that."
Anyone who receives counterfeit cash is urged to contact police as soon as possible.
"It is important that businesses involved in handling money are aware of security features within New Zealand bank notes," police said.
"The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has clear guides outlining security features of New Zealand bank notes and how to spot counterfeit notes, including a downloadable PDF quick guide, on their website.
"Security features are the same on all denominations."
It comes after two women were arrested on November 17 over the alleged use of fake cash in the Pukekohe area.
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