Police swooped on addresses in Dunedin and Balclutha today, seizing drugs with an estimated street value of $40,000 to $60,000.
In a joint operation with NZ Customs, almost half a kilogram of pentetrone, a drug similar to MDMA (Ecstasy), was seized.
Side-effects of the stimulant include vomiting, heart palpitations and numbness to the lips and mouth.
A 28-year-old Dunedin man and a 42-year-old Balclutha woman have been arrested and will be charged with importing the class C drug.
They will appear in Dunedin District Court.
Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis said the drugs were destined for sale on the streets of Dunedin and Balclutha.
