A covert cannabis growing operation in two shipping containers, with one buried underground in rural Whangarei, had the potential to rake in more than $1 million, a jury has heard.
Tony James Ware, 47, has denied cultivating cannabis and stealing electricity worth more than $17,000 at his trial in the Whangarei District Court. Ware is representing himself at the trial.
Opening the Crown case, Moana Jarman-Taylor said police searched Ware's rural property in Whareora on August 11, 2011. They found a closed shipping container which was padlocked.
A bolt cutter was used by Detective Mike Metcalfe to open the container that had 187 cannabis plants, with lights suspended from the roof and a fan was operating.
A second container was discovered underground, with access through a manhole hidden by a pile of rubbish. Ms Jarman-Taylor said that container was split in three compartments and contained 142 cannabis plants.