$5m in assets seized after raids

HOKOTIKA: Two men have been arrested and assets worth $5 million seized after two police raids, one of which discovered a ‘‘very large underground bunker’’ for cannabis growing.

The bust is the result of a covert investigation into the commercial cultivation and supply of cannabis throughout the West Coast and Canterbury.

Farm and residential property, cash, bank accounts, vehicles and gold claims (permits to explore/mine), worth about $5 million, were seized.

A Ngahere man (72) was arrested on September 9 and a search warrant executed at his address.

He has been charged with possession of cannabis for supply and is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on September 30.

Police from around the Tasman district also executed a search warrant at a large rural property in Kaniere, southeast of Hokitika.

There police discovered a large underground bunker containing a sophisticated cannabisgrowing operation. A large number of firearms were also seized.

A Kaniere man (63) was arrested and charged with cultivating cannabis as well as selling it, and appeared in the Greymouth District Court yesterday. He was granted interim name suppression and released on bail.

West Coast area commander Inspector Jacqui Corner said the operation went some way to reducing harm in West Coast communities.

‘‘Police rely on tips from the public to stem the flow of drugs, and information supplied from our community, which has been instrumental in police being able to prosecute these offenders and take their assets.

‘‘Our investigation team has spent months working to dismantle this drug supply, and in doing so have prevented significant harm reaching our communities.’’ — The New Zealand Herald