A Hokianga man is facing a fine of up $250,000 and the forfeiture of his ute, trailer and quad bike after he allegedly drove off into the bush when fisheries officers tried to stop him.
Officials are also looking for the man's passenger who they say ran off into dense bush with two backpacks believed to contain a large quantity of illegal paua.
Ministry for Primary Industry compliance officers arrested a Hokianga man, 22, last week after they said he failed to stop for a checkpoint on Waimamaku Beach Rd, south of Omapere.
Fisheries officers were in the area, a hot spot where organised groups dived and took large quantities of undersized paua, MPI District Compliance manager Northland Darren Edwards said,
Last week when officers tried to stop a 4X4 ute towing a trailer with a quad bike, the driver failed to stop for compliance officers, who activated their flashing blue lights and siren, Mr Edwards said.