Brothers caught with excess cockles

When two brothers allegedly stole a bottle of spirits and a box of pre-mix drinks they didn't bank on getting caught, and they certainly didn't think they would get busted for the excess amount of cockles found in their car boot.

But when police officers stopped them and popped the boot they discovered more than 1200 cockles in a fish bin - well in excess of the legal daily bag limit of 150 per person.

Onerahi Police Constable Conan Brown said police were notified of a theft of alcohol from a Parua Bay business just after 4pm on Monday.

Witnesses were able to give police a basic description of the vehicle but were unable to get the registration-plate number.

However, officers on Owhiwa Rd spotted the car and after a chase it was stopped near the intersection with Whareora Rd.

A bottle of Jim Beam and a box of pre-mix drinks were found in the car. When officers continued to search the car they discovered the seafood stash.

Ministry of Primary Industries officers based in Whangarei were alerted and counted out the cockles, which totalled more than 1200.

It is likely the pair will be issued with infringement notices under the Fisheries Act because they said four people had collected the shellfish.