$1m cannabis crop discovered

A cannabis plantation with up to $1 million worth of plants has been uncovered by the Bay of Plenty police.

The 990 plants were discovered growing outdoors in Welcome Bay in Tauranga yesterday after a tip-off. Area commander inspector Mike Clement said most of the plants were ready for harvesting and had a conservative value of between $750,000 and $1 million.

While large-scale cannabis cultivation was often linked to organised crime, Mr Clement said it was too soon to speculate about the identity of any such group involved. Evidence suggested the plantations had been under guard.