Tony Ware said police planted cannabis growing operations at his rural Whangarei home to frame him but a jury found him guilty. Photo/Supplied
Tony Ware said police planted cannabis growing operations at his rural Whangarei home to frame him but a jury found him guilty. Photo/Supplied
Whangarei man Tony Ware, who claimed police set up two elaborate cannabis operations in shipping containers, one of which was buried, has been found guilty by a jury.
Ware, 47, was found guilty of stealing more than $17,000 worth of electricity and cultivating cannabis after police searched his rural propertyin Whareora on August 11, 2011.
Ware, who represented himself and said he was pro-cannabis, claimed police were lying and during 2 hours, while he was away from the property, seven officers brought in hundreds of cannabis plants and growing equipment and deliberately set him up.
The jury heard from police how they used bolt cutters to open the container above ground, which revealed 187 cannabis plants, with lights suspended from the roof and a fan.
The second container discovered underground was accessed through a manhole hidden by a pile of rubbish. The container was split into three compartments and contained 142 cannabis plants.
A search of the house revealed another 81 cannabis plants and another 29 plants were found in buckets outside.
Other items used in cultivating cannabis were found around the house. In total, there were 448 female and one male cannabis plants.
An expert witness told the jury if the 448 female plants were allowed to grow to their full size and maturity, they could have fetched between $250,000-$500,000 per crop.
A check with power supplier Meridian Energy revealed the property received about $17,409 worth of un-metered electricity between 2010-2011. Ware said he knew nothing about the wire being cut in the power meter box.
In his closing address, he said it was the police job to prove he was guilty and they had not done so.
"The evidence has been manipulated and tampered with," Ware told the jury of three men and nine women.
He said police planted the cannabis operation and his intention was to use the underground container as a composting septic tank.
Judge John McDonald, in his closing address, said an experienced police officer described the growing operations as "classic and elaborate".
Ware has been remanded in custody and will appear for sentencing on February 11.
