Cannabis bust: 16 arrested as $6.5m haul seized in Rotorua, Auckland raids
New Zealand police have arrested 16 people following a large-scale operation targeting an organized crime ring involved in commercial cannabis cultivation. The raids, which seized $6.5 million worth of plants, were part of a multi-agency effort to dismantle illegal grow houses.
Why it matters
This operation highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat organized crime and illegal drug production in residential areas.
Up to $6.5 million worth of cannabis has been seized in Rotorua after police swooped on what they say is a large-scale organised crime ring.
Police say they have dealt a major blow to the drug market, busting an alleged commercial-scale growing operation and making 16 arrests after finding houses “packed to the brim” with cannabis plants.
Bay of Plenty Police field crime manager Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow said in a media release the operation shut down 14 grow houses in Rotorua and removed the cannabis from the black market.
Five residential properties, 21 bank accounts and two vehicles were restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
Of the 16 Vietnamese nationals arrested, 14 were facing charges relating to cannabis growing and associated offences. Two were arrested in relation to alleged Immigration Act Offences.
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