Police seize 10,000 cannabis plants

ILLICIT: Eastern police have seized about 10,000 cannabis plants. PHOTO FILE

Eastern District police have seized and destroyed in excess of 10,000 cannabis plants over the summer period.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Greville said they were located public and private land across the district, ranging from south of Waipukurau to the top of East Cape.

There was aerial support over 10 days from a plane and a helicopter.

Aside from the cannabis plants being destroyed, nine firearms (rifles and shotguns) and two stolen vehicles were recovered during the operation.

While methamphetamine related offending remains the primary focus of the Eastern District Organised Crime Unit, cannabis cultivation and its related offending will continue to be actively Policed.

Throughout the operation Police received good feedback from rural communities, who were grateful for the work Police were doing.

Mr Greville said police rely on members of the public to pass on any information about drug cultivation, manufacture and dealing.

Information about drug offending can be passed on to your local Police station or can be made anonymously and in confidence by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.