Two men caught on farmer's Maxwell property say they were 'looking for eels'

Eels in hot demand. Photo/ file

"We were looking for eels," was the excuse two Whanganui men gave police after they were caught snooping around a farmer's Maxwell property.

Kemp Rangitahae Rippon and Tui Shane Hoani Rippon pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering an enclosed area when they appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Graham Hoskin said the Rippons pulled over next to the rural property in a Honda vehicle with false number plates about 5pm on February 7.

"They climbed over the fence, went across the paddock and down to a river."

Mr Hoskin said the pair were challenged by the farm owner when they turned around and headed back to their vehicle.

"They started driving back to Whanganui when police were notified and spotted the vehicle. Police conducted a search warrant of the vehicle and found two bags of cannabis - one with 64.5g and the other with 264g."

Mr Hoskin said the defendants told police they were having a look at the creek for some eels.

Defence lawyer Jamie Waugh said they accept they shouldn't have been on the property but were only looking for eels.

Judge Philip Crayton said the circumstance did raise an eyebrow in regards to the explanation they gave police.

Kemp Rippon was convicted and sentenced to 180 hours of community work.

Tui Rippon's charge was transferred to the Hawera District Court because he was up against other existing charges.