HUTT RAIDS NET LARGE DOPE HAUL

Talk of softening cannabis laws has created an increased drug cultivation
problem, Upper Hutt police say.

This comes after police recovered $342,000 worth of cannabis during two
recent drug busts in the city.

Detective Sergeant Richard Boys-Cheer said drug users had interpreted
political talk of likely decriminalisation of cannabis as a licence to grow it.

"The people we speak to say `so what' - they think its allowable now anyway."

Last week, police discovered $25,000 worth of cannabis concealed in bags
and hidden in bush, resulting in the arrest of an Upper Hutt couple.

Both were charged for possession for supply and allowing their premises to
be used for a drug operation.

They have been granted name suppression and remanded to reappear at Upper
Hutt District Court on Friday.

During the second bust, on a two-storey flat on Wednesday, police
discovered the top storey was housing a "sophisticated hydroponic set up",
comprising 217 plants, each valued at $1000.

Police also discovered LSD, $100,000 of dried cannabis and a pistol.

A man appeared in Upper Hutt District Court yesterday facing five drug and
firearm-related charges.

Upper Hutt foreman Jason Rex Temoananui, 32, was remanded to reappear on
Tuesday.