More than 900 cannabis plants seized by police in Te Araroa bust

More than 900 cannabis plants were taken from the area on Saturday and Sunday. Photo / John Stone

A large quantity of maturing cannabis has been seized by police in a bush area off Kopuapounamu Rd near Te Araroa, in what they describe as a substantial drug-growing operation.

More than 900 cannabis plants were taken from the area on Saturday and Sunday.

"Police were conducting inquiries in the Te Araroa area when they located the substantial commercial cannabis operation," said Detective Sergeant Kevin Ford.

"Two houses at Te Araroa were searched and a number of people were spoken to. No arrests have been made as yet."

Ford said the operation was found in a bush area. "Our inquiries are ongoing. We believe the cannabis, once harvested, would have been destined for the Gisborne-East Coast market."

Ford said police would like to hear from members of the community who might be able to assist them identify the people involved in the operation.

"We are in the middle of the cannabis cultivation season in the district and would ask rural people to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour that could be linked to growing operations."

-Gisborne Herald