HUGE CANNABIS HAUL IN WELLINGTON SUBURB

Wellington police uncovered a big cannabis-growing operation in suburban
Johnsonville today.

Detective Sergeant Max Taylor said more than 100 plants were found when
police searched the tenanted Monowai Rd house this morning. The
well-maintained house, with a landscaped garden, had an overwhelming smell
of cannabis. Mr Taylor estimated the haul would have a street value of
about $250,000.

A man understood to have lived alone at the address has been arrested and
charged with possession of cannabis, possession for supply and cultivating
cannabis.

Mr Taylor said the same house was searched in May, when other tenants
rented it. A similar but lower-scale operation was found then. Today's
operation followed a three-day investigation. Inquiries were continuing and
further arrests were possible.

Neighbours were stunned by the bust. "He was just your normal neighbour; Mr
Nice Guy," one said.