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A man was arrested and charged after police discovered a sophisticated cannabis operation on a property north of Christchurch.
Several police officers, including the Armed Criminal Squad, carried out a routine search warrant at the property on Marshland Rd in Ouruhia on the outskirts of Christchurch around 8.15 a.m. Thursday.
From the outside it appeared to be a normal suburban bungalow, with well-kept lawns and rose bushes in the garden behind a thick hedge.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Inside one of the sheds on the Christchurch property.
But when armed police raided him early Thursday morning, they found a sophisticated cannabis factory inside, with hundreds of plants being grown in bedrooms and outside buildings.
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Inside, they discovered a comprehensive cannabis operation, with heat lamps and ventilation systems set up to help grow around 200 plants. The drugs were found in three areas of the property, including two sheds.
A police spokeswoman confirmed Friday that “commercial quantities” of cannabis were found on the property.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
One of the bedrooms had been converted into a grow room.
He said a 38-year-old man was charged with growing cannabis and will appear in Christchurch District Court on January 27.
The owner of the property said it was being rented and was not aware of the police search when contacted earlier. Stuff.
