Police bust pot-growing operations

Police arrested three people after uncovering two large marijuana growing operations during raids on five houses in Auckland today.

They also seized 11 vehicles and nearly $100,000 cash.

Two men, aged 42 and 26, and a woman, 57, were arrested and due in court on drugs charges today, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark McHattie said.

Police searched houses in Penrose, Mt Wellington, Glenfield, and Brown's Bay. The cannabis was found growing at Penrose and Glenfield houses.

He said the vehicles and cash had been seized under Proceeds of Crime legislation.

Mr McHattie said the raids were part of Operation Raptor which was one of several ongoing initiatives by the Auckland Organised Crime Unit designed to take marijuana growers out of the illicit drug market.

- NZPA