Police say they seized roughly $95 million-worth of cannabis products, as well as methamphetamine and firearms, in their summer operation to disrupt organised crime groups.
More than 34,000 cannabis plants and 79kg of dried cannabis were taken by police throughout New Zealand during its aerial eradication operation over the summer.
It also dismantled 24 indoor commercial cannabis grows, seized four kilograms of amphetamine and 19 grams of methamphetamine.
Director of the National Organised Crime Group, Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, says the operation focused on commercial-scale cannabis growing and the organised crime groups behind it.
“This was not about personal cannabis use or low-level offending.
“There were 123 searches executed which resulted in 80 firearms being seized, showing the very concerning link between illicit firearms and drug dealing.”
Williams says this work continues in conjunction with Operation Tauwhiro, a nationwide crackdown on guns held by gangs and organised crime, which was launched in February 2021.
Police say further arrests are expected in the coming weeks.
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