Eleven Vietnamese nationals have been deported and cannabis valued at $18 million has been destroyed after police hit the operations of an organised crime group across Auckland last week.
Searches were carried out at 30 homes being used as “sophisticated indoor cannabis growing systems” across Counties Manukau, Auckland City, and Waitematā districts, Acting Detective Inspector Greg Brand said.
Approximately 3385 cannabis plants at various stages of growth and 48kg of dried cannabis – worth an estimated $18 million – were seized and destroyed.
Eleven people were arrested following the crackdown.
“The majority of those arrested were in New Zealand illegally and a result, Immigration New Zealand has deported 11 Vietnamese nationals,” Brand said.
“All 11 have left New Zealand and are back in Vietnam.”
Inquiries are ongoing and police cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests.
“This group were cultivating and dealing in large amounts of cannabis and their actions mirror similar operations recently uncovered in Australia where criminal groups, primarily of Vietnamese descent, were running a large number of indoor cannabis growing operations,” Brand said.
“Make no mistake, these syndicates are well connected to gangs and this cannabis is a large source of income for their illegal operations.”
Police are working alongside Immigration New Zealand to ensure migrant communities are kept safe from those who would exploit the conditions of their work visas.
Rental properties ‘significantly modified’
Brand warned that the properties used by the criminal groups “will appear innocuous and will not really attract neighbours’ attention”.
“These individuals are significantly modifying rental properties to cultivate cannabis with extremely dangerous electrical installations.
“Not only is this extremely dangerous and creates a significant fire risk, we’d estimate millions of dollars’ worth of electricity is being stolen every year to run these operations.”
The crops were thrown from the growing operation to a waiting wheelbarrow during a bust of about $18m worth of plants. (Source: Other)
Police issued a reminder to landlords to be vigilant when renting out their properties by ensuring there are regular property inspections; and carrying out thorough vetting.
Anyone who sees suspicious activity, such as deliveries of easy grow and fertiliser bags being dropped off, or signs that an electricity meter has been tampered with, was asked to contact police.