It might be early in the season but industrious cannabis growers have utilised the favourable Northland growing conditions and planted out their crops.
But police have also been just as quick to discover the plantations and have already ripped out 350 plants in a Far North plot in forestry north of Kaitaia.
The significantly-sized plot was found earlier this month and the metre-high cannabis plants, protected by a fence made of chicken wire, were destroyed by police.
Last cannabis growing season Northland police destroyed 34,428 plants, made 47 arrests and recovered $33,000 of stolen property and vehicles.
Head of Northland Police Organised Crime Squad Detective Sergeant Shane Pilmer said the public played a major role in helping police and this drug growing season was no different. With the ideal weather conditions so far this season, it could favour growers trying to produce two crops.