New Zealand / Crime

Police seize $95m cannabis, meth, and firearms over summer

08:53 am on 6 May 2022

Police seized more than 34,000 cannabis plants and 79kg of dried cannabis over the summer with a combined street value of $95 million.

Photo: 123rf.com

The national operation was conducted across several regions and targeted commercial-scale growing.

Methamphetamine, amphetamine and guns were also seized.

In a statement this morning, director of the National Organised Crime Group, Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, said there were 123 searches executed, which resulted in 80 firearms being seized. He said it showed the "very concerning link between illicit firearms and drug dealing".

The work continues and aligns to Operation Tauwhiro, he added.

He said 81 offenders were spoken to by police, mostly about cultivation of cannabis, possession for supply of cannabis, and firearms offences, and many warnings were issued for cultivation of small-scale plots.

There were 24 indoor commercial cannabis grows discovered and dismantled during the operation.

In addition to the cannabis, 4kg of amphetamine and 19 grams of methamphetamine were seized.