Major Drug Bust: Police Target Cannabis Grow Houses in Auckland

Police have made significant strides in disrupting illegal cannabis operations in Northwest Auckland, recovering nearly 400 kilograms of cannabis, along with other illicit substances.

Police have been targeting large cannabis grow house operations run by Vietnamese organised criminal groups around the Kumeū area. Photo / Police

Noteworthy Recoveries: Authorities seized approximately 400 kilograms of cannabis and 40 grams of cocaine.
Arrests Made: Three individuals were apprehended, including two Vietnamese nationals and a known associate of the Head Hunters gang.
Strategic Disruption: Inspector Mike Rickards stated that these operations are pivotal in disrupting organized drug distribution networks.

Within the last week, police have conducted multiple operations targeting illicit drug activities emanating from the Kumeū region. The operations reveal a concerted effort by law enforcement agencies to dismantle organized criminal networks specializing in drug production and distribution.

Inspector Mike Rickards from the Waitematā north area said, “Local police have been keenly monitoring large-scale cannabis operations that are typically managed by Vietnamese organized crime groups in the Kumeū vicinity.”

Authorities have uncovered significant illicit drug operations. Photo / Police

Search Operations and Discoveries

On May 21 and May 16, police executed search warrants at two properties, leading to substantial discoveries.

During the operations, officials uncovered a sophisticated drug cultivation operation at a property located on Station Road, which yielded 931 cannabis plants weighing a total of 237 kilograms.

Additionally, a nearby address revealed another stash of 130 cannabis plants weighing up to 155 kilograms. Authorities recovered a significant amount of equipment essential for drug manufacturing, alongside a large sum of cash.

Detailed investigation continues to target illegal cannabis production. Photo / Police

In one of the arrests, a 27-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were remanded following drug charges lodged against them. Their involvement is currently under careful review by the authorities.

Disruptive Operations Yield Further Arrests

Further efforts led to an arrest on May 16 of a 36-year-old associate from the notorious Head Hunters gang. Police had caught him in a compromising situation as he attempted to dispose of illicit substances during a search.

Within the premises, police successfully located 30 grams of cocaine along with additional cannabis. This interaction underscores the ongoing risks and challenges faced by law enforcement when engaging with organized crime units.

Inspector Rickards emphasized the significance of these operations, stating, “Our dedicated teams, including the Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit and members of the Offender Prevention Team, are focused on identifying and dismantling the supply chains of these criminal organizations.”

The investigation remains active, highlighting a robust approach by law enforcement to address drug-related offenses in the area.

Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, covering crime and breaking news. She started her career with the NZ Herald brand in 2021, formerly reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.

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Police have targeted large cannabis grow houses in Northwest Auckland, resulting in the seizure of nearly 400 kilograms of cannabis and several arrests.