Cannabis growing op 'worth $2m per annum'

More than 46,000 cannabis plants, 40 guns and 37g of methamphetamine (P) have been seized in a Northland police crime and cannabis operation.

The biggest haul of the annual drug blitz was an indoor growing operation containing 526 plants. Police estimate it was capable of making close to $2million a year.

The find, in a shed at Taipa, Doubtless Bay, came this week after a tip-off to the Crimestoppers hotline. A 44-year-old man has appeared in the Kaitaia District Court in relation to the Taipa bust, charged with cultivating cannabis, possession of cannabis for supply, and possession of equipment for cultivating cannabis.

In total Operation Lucy netted 46,224 cannabis plants, which were either pulled up and incinerated or sprayed with dye and herbicide, as well as 37 grams of P, 40 firearms, $10,525 in cash, and stolen property including a $4000 motorbike and a $9000 trailer. Police arrested 92 people on a variety of drugs charges.

The results are similar to last year's operation when 48,546 plants were destroyed, $11,000 seized and 103 people arrested.

Northland police criminal investigations manager Detective Inspector Kevin Burke said it was encouraging to see people contacting police or calling Crimestoppers when they noticed suspicious activity, or had information about illicit drugs.

"This is about the public taking a stand and helping police to reduce crime and stop these drugs harming the community," he said.

Closing down the commercial cannabis operation at Taipa not long after a 320-plant indoor growing operation was found in Whangarei would put a dent in the drug trade. Cannabis caused serious harm, particularly to young people, Mr Burke said.

The Drug Harm Index showed more than $100million in social harm was caused by the amount of cannabis found in Northland. That harm included crime, lost work output and health service use, but not intangible costs such as reduced quality or length of life.

With road policing staff also involved in Operation Lucy, police were able to hold checkpoints in areas they did not often visit. As a result they picked up 10 high-risk drivers and issued 409 tickets for traffic infringements.