Police discovered a massive cannabis cultivation site in an upscale Remuera suburb after responding to a burglary report early Thursday morning. The raid came following a call about broken glass at a Bassett Rd address.
Police seize large‑scale grow in Remuera
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Burrow said officers arrived around 3:50 am. The front door was found ajar, and a strong cannabis odor greeted the team.
Officers allege the property contained five rooms dedicated to cannabis cultivation. The layout indicated a large‑scale operation rather than personal use.
When police entered, the occupant fled through a rear window. A police helicopter spotted him running through Newmarket Park, and a dog unit quickly located him.
A 41‑year‑old man has been charged with cultivating cannabis and will appear in Auckland District Court today. He is the only suspect identified so far.
Burrow urged anyone with information on drug activity to come forward. The community plays a vital role in locating hidden grow sites.
Bassett Rd was the scene of a notorious 1963 machine gun killing that shocked New Zealand. It marked the first use of a .45‑caliber weapon associated with Al Capone in the country.
