Cannabis plants found at Tauranga fire callout lead to court appearance

Firefighters at the scene of a fire in Tauriko got more than they bargained for today when they found cannabis plants. Photo/Andrew Warner

A man is due to appear in the Tauranga District Court today in relation to cannabis plants allegedly found at a property during a fire service callout.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said Tauranga firefighters were called to a fire in the Lower Kamais yesterdayafter receiving several calls about a blaze about 11.40am, including reports a house was on fire.

However, when firefighters arrived, it was burning vegetation, a fence and the exterior of a shed, she said.

The fire was at a property on State Highway 29, near Gargan Rd.

A police communications spokeswoman confirmed to the Bay of Plenty Times that as firefighters took control of the fire, cannabis plants were allegedly found.

She said a man would appear in Tauranga District Court relating to a small number of cannabis plants allegedly found growing at the property.

The spokeswoman said she could not confirm whether the plants were found inside or outside, how many, or the size of them, and no further details were available.