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Police are warning landlords and property managers to be vigilant after the discovery of three houses set up for large-scale, clandestine indoor cannabis cultivation.
Five men were arrested in police raids on the Hamilton houses during the past week.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead, of Waikato CIB, said offenders using rental properties for criminal activities could leave the property owner facing large clean-up and repair bills.
"All three houses were rentals and repair costs will be significant," he said. "Carpets, wall covering and linings were all extensively damaged. Holes were cut into floors and ceilings and electrical wiring altered."
Mr Whitehead's warning was backed by Insurance Council chief executive Chris Ryan who said landlords needed to be aware of whether there were illegal activities happening on their premises.
"Certainly the insurers are saying on a case-by-case basis that they understand a lot of the time it's not the landlord's fault and do meet the costs of putting the house back into a safe condition," Mr Ryan said.
"But what they tend to do is say to the landlord: 'Look, you need to have an arrangement with your tenants that you're able to visit and make sure that there's not illegal activity'. It's just really common sense, a lot of it."
Both Mr Ryan and Mr Whitehead spoke about the problems faced with properties used for clandestine P labs.
Mr Whitehead said experience had shown the majority of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories discovered were found in rental properties.
Other labs had been discovered in motel units.
Of the five men arrested two, both aged 23, are from Tauranga and hold dual New Zealand and Saudi Arabian citizenship. Two others, aged 20 and 25, are Vietnamese from Auckland, in New Zealand on student visas. The fifth man is also a 25-year-old Vietnamese, who is alleged to be an overstayer.
- NZPA
