Police bust fashion leader again in second drug raid

Police investigating a cannabis-growing operation arrested fashion label owner Jason Crawford yesterday for the second time in four days.

He and two other men were found hiding in a roof cavity when police raided a Penrose warehouse.

The police seized equipment alleged to be for growing cannabis plants.

Detective Sergeant Dave Nimmo said police did not expect Crawford to be there, but "I'm not entirely surprised".

On Monday Crawford, an owner of the fashion label Insidious Fix, was charged with cultivating cannabis and allowing a premises to be used for cultivation after police found 250 mature cannabis plants and seedlings growing in a hydroponic operation at an Onehunga warehouse.

Police described the operation in the Selwyn St factory housing Insidious Fix as "huge and sophisticated".

As a result of yesterday's raid, Crawford was arrested on breach of bail charges.

The other men face cannabis equipment charges. They are scheduled to appear in Auckland District Court today, with further charges pending for Crawford.

Mr Nimmo said the raid was part of ongoing investigations following Monday's discovery.

He said the equipment found yesterday indicated a commercial-scale growing operation, although no plants were found at the premises.

Inquiries are continuing.