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The prospect of better harvests and decreased detection is luring cannabis growers indoors, police say.
Cromwell police yesterday found a huge haul grown under lights, worth up to $100,000.
Detective Grant Miller, of Queenstown, said recent finds in the area were no bigger than previous years but more was being grown indoors using hydroponics.
One of the most recent finds was in Sunshine Bay, Queenstown, where more than 25 plants were found growing inside. Three people were arrested and are due to appear in court on January 28.
Mr Miller said growers seemed increasingly prepared to fund the expensive initial outlay needed to buy hydroponic equipment to move their operations indoors.
Once set up, they could harvest better crops faster and lower the risk of having their operation discovered.
- NZPA
