A Northlander found guilty of cultivating more than 1000 cannabis plants with a street value of up to $1.2 million has been jailed.
Guy Bartlett, 45, appeared in the Whangarei District Court for sentencing after he was earlier found guilty by a jury on one charge of cultivating 1078 cannabis plants early last year.
Bartlett was arrested during the three-month police Operation Dee where outdoor cannabis growing operations were targeted. Bartlett's 13 plots on Pouto Peninsula contained a total of 1078 plants.
Crown prosecutor Justin Wall said Bartlett cultivated cannabis on an industrial scale and his offending should attract a starting point of between five and five and a half years.
Barttlett's lawyer Sumudu Thode said his difficult upbringing contributed to his offending and he needed to address his cannabis use.