Gold bars (not the ones being auctioned off).

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

Forty-three one-ounce gold bars seized by police during a February 2024 traffic stop on Route 17 are being auctioned off by municipal officials.

The bars were seized during a February 2024 traffic stop when a Mahwah police officer stopped a vehicle on the southbound side of the highway, Mahwah Police Lt. Michael Blondin said.

The two occupants reportedly gave conflicting stories and inconsistent travel plans. After granting consent for a search, officers found dozens of gold bars hidden inside, Blondin said.

Neither occupant claimed ownership, and the gold was seized and held during a months-long investigation. When police were unable to determine who it belonged to, the Mahwah Police Department filed for asset forfeiture through the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The gold was officially turned over to the Township of Mahwah in August 2025.

The collection — consisting of 23 IGR One Ounce Gold 999.9 Bars and 20 ASAHI Refining One Ounce Troy Fine Gold 9999 Bars — is being sold “as is” through the government auction site Municibid, where bidding has already drawn strong attention as of Friday, Nov. 7.

As of press time, the highest big was just over $150,000.

Each bar is sealed, serialized, and verified by three independent jewelers, township officials said. The winning bidder must provide a photo ID and sign a hold-harmless and indemnification agreement upon pickup.

The auction closes Monday, Nov. 10, at 8 a.m., though the listing may extend briefly to prevent last-minute bid sniping.