Three people, one of whom faces deportation, have been jointly charged with cultivating cannabis and participating in an organised criminal group. They will appear in the Wellington District Court next week.
Two others will be deported and one other faces potential deportation.
This operation comes a week after police busted another alleged criminal syndicate in Auckland run by Vietnamese nationals.
As a part of Operation Beryl, 6886 cannabis plants and approximately 10 kilograms of packaged cannabis were seized. This had a street value of between $16 million and $25 million.
Up to $100,000 in cash was also located and seized.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said the operation serves as a reminder that police continue to investigate criminal groups who seek to enrich themselves through commercial cannabis cultivation.
”These groups are highly organised and spend significant effort and expense operating under the radar in rented residential homes across our towns and cities.
”When they eventually move on, they often leave the houses with extensive damage and unpaid rent.”
Immigration Investigations’ National Manager Stephanie Greathead said the operation emphasises the importance for migrants to be aware of people who would seek to exploit their immigration status.
”If you are being asked to pay large sums of money to offshore agents to travel and work in New Zealand, it is highly likely that this is part of a fraudulent scam.”
Police said inquiries are ongoing to determine any link between yesterday’s operation and last week’s Operation Beryl bust.
Police encourage anyone with information about suspected money laundering and drug dealing in their community to contact 105, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Migrant communities concerned with possible exploitation should contact MBIE on 0800 20 90 20.
