Police have uprooted a cannabis operation worth up to $15 million in parts of rural southern Auckland.
Across three sites, about 5450 plants were destroyed, and nine Vietnamese nationals have been arrested.
Search warrants were executed at rural sites in Āwhitu, Runciman and Glenbrook this week.
Nine arrests were made so far under the police investigation named Operation Manta Ray.
Police counties Manukau south area investigations manager detective senior sergeant Simon Taylor said the illicit growing scheme was in former market gardens sites.
“We believe the set-up, particularly in Āwhitu, is likely one of the largest we have come across within the Counties Manukau Police district.
“This enforcement action has caused a considerable dent and there is no doubt this will have an impact on organised crime as a result.”
Police were continuing to target illicit drug operations on commercial scales such as those identified this week.
“Large-scale cultivation of drugs is a large source of income for gangs and organised crime groups.”
“We will continue to target such operations given they are funding organised criminal groups’ operations, which in turn means harm continues to be imposed on our communities.”
By the numbers
The numbers in Operation Manta Ray highlighted the scale of this particular group’s operation, police said.
In Āwhitu alone, more than two tonnes of cannabis plant at varying maturity levels were located and mnre than 4300 plants were destroyed.
In Runciman, more than 150 plants destroyed. In Glenbrook, more than 1000 plants destroyed, police said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor said four Vietnamese nationals were arrested at Āwhitu and another five were arrested at the site in Glenbrook.
All those charged were men aged between 29 and 40.
Six of those arrested faced charges of cultivating cannabis and were before the Pukekohe District Court.
Police have been working alongside Immigration New Zealand in relation to the remaining three arrested during the operation.
Taylor acknowledged the work of investigators attached to Counties Manukau South CIB.
“This week’s operation was also ably supported by our Organised Crime Unit, communities staff based in Tuakau and Waiuku, as well as other police resources from the region.
“We continue to encourage the community to continue providing us this information on any such concerns they may have,” said Taylor.
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