Officers uncovered a trailer full of cannabis plants in West Auckland after noticing a "strong smell" on Tuesday afternoon.
Four men were arrested after their attempts to hide and move the plants failed.
Officers spotted a vehicle in Glendene towing a trailer with its sides covered by tarpaulin screens, heading west at around 3.10pm.
They noticed a "strong smell" of cannabis, and signalled the vehicle to stop on Sunnyside Road in Sunnyvale.
“As officers approached the trailer, they noticed several cannabis plants through a gap in the covering," Inspector Nick Salter said.
During a search, the officers found 41 "mature" cannabis plants, each around 1.7m high.
Four men were arrested, and the plants were seized. They would be destroyed.
“These men have tried, and failed, to disguise their illegal activity," Salter said.
He called the bust "significant" and likely to have disturbed an illegal drug operation.
Three men aged 37 to 39 would appear in the Waitākere District Court, charged with possession of cannabis for supply.
A 23-year-old was charged with possession of cannabis for supply and driving while disqualified and will appear in Waitākere District Court on June 5.
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