More than 140 cannabis plants have been recovered by police as part of two recent operations in the Waitaki district.
On Wednesday, 22 mature plants were discovered growing in a heavily vegetated area near an unnamed stream close to Lake Ohau, while 120 plants were located on public land near Duntroon in February.
Senior Constable Nayland Smith, of Omarama, said in addition to the 22 plants, several pieces of equipment used to help grow and irrigate them were recovered, including 50m of alkathene pipe, garden hoses, several 20kg bags of blood and bone mix, lime, netting, garden stakes, other irrigation materials and two automatic timers, reports Otago Daily Times.
He believed the yet-to-be located person or persons behind the operation were likely to be experienced growers, Snr Const Smith said.
"I think they've probably done it before and they've spent a few dollars too ... They've put in a lot of work to set it up."