Wellington Police have today dismantled a well organised commercial cannabis cultivation and distribution network operating in the Wellington and Whanganui areas that has been responsible for the sale of hundreds of thousands of dollars of cannabis over the past few years.
Operation Yesterday has seen the execution of 14 search warrants in Wellington, Porirua, Manukau, Peka Peka and Whanganui. Eleven people aged between 20 and 68 have been arrested for offences including cultivating cannabis, possession of cannabis for supply and selling cannabis and they will be appearing at various courts over the next few days.
One of the alleged principal offenders has additionally been arrested on warrants relating to serious family violence charges that stem back to two home invasions committed in Wellington almost 10 years ago. It is alleged that the man has been actively avoiding authorities for this time by the use of multiple false identities.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch, head of the Wellington Drugs and Organised Crime team says “During our searches today we have uncovered cannabis being grown at five different addresses, including an entire house in Whanganui that had been set up solely for the purpose of cultivating and contained over 200 cannabis plants."
"We have also searched an industrial sized shed in Whanganui that has been purchased by this syndicate and was in the process of being set up specifically for growing cannabis. Other searches located significant quantities of dried cannabis and cash"
"Police investigations have established that the syndicate have been importing cannabis seeds from Europe and LED grow lights from China and we will be liaising with Customs to identify opportunities to prevent these kinds of importations continuing."
"Operation Yesterday has again demonstrated the extent of the illicit cannabis industry. Cannabis is still the leading illicit drug linked to hospital admissions and the harm it causes to our communities is immense."
"To those engaged in commercial cannabis cultivation and distribution this operation should serve as a warning that Police will continue deploying resources into this area as part of our prevention first strategy."
ENDS
For media queries please contact Nick Bohm, Wellington Police District Communications Manager, on 021 192 1816.
