Cannabis growers go for bigger plots

Pot is boiling, but methamphetamine is on the back-burner for drug dealers and manufacturers in Northland.

Police made 62 arrests and seized more than 41,000 cannabis plants in a three-month operation codenamed Operation Cath.

The operation, which wrapped up this week, targeted an area from Whangarei to the Far North, and more arrests are likely.

Police said it was "pretty clear" cannabis was still "the foundation of the illegal drug trade in the region". The 41,168 plants seized ranged from seedlings to mature plants more than 2m tall.

The operation revealed a move to large commercial plots, police said. Most of the cannabis was growing in vacant lots and isolated areas of bush, although smaller plots were found around homes.

Those arrested face charges including cultivation, manufacturing cannabis oil and possession of methamphetamine.

Most cannabis grown in the region ended up in other parts of the country, particularly the larger cities, police said.

Two methamphetamine laboratories were also found during the operation, one in a house, the other in a shed.

Police also found stolen property worth about $120,000, including cars, motorbikes and firearms.

They said the size of the haul meant that the amount of cannabis seized this year would be slightly higher than last year.