TAURANGA POLICE UNEARTH SECRET CANNABIS-GROWING CHAMBER

A sophisticated underground cannabis bunker hidden in the Kaimai Range
has been unearthed by police.

Tauranga police revealed today that entry to the 4m long, 2.5m wide
dugout was through a hidden trapdoor - underneath a lean-to attached
to a shed off Omanawa Rd, in the lower Kaimais.

More than 170 cannabis plants were discovered, as well as $9300 in
cash. A substantial amount of methamphetamine was found in another
shed at the rural property.

Detective Sergeant Lew Warner said the secret bunker had been dug out
and framed with timber. It had been lined with reflective paper, with
lights and drying equipment installed. Timers were also used to
control the lighting in the chamber.

"It had been set up totally for the purpose of cultivating cannabis,"
he said.

"You couldn't have seen it unless you knew where to look."

Inside the underground cavern police discovered 176 cannabis plants,
of which 87 were mature. About 800g of cannabis leaf was discovered in
a drying machine. Police found 172 stripped stalks on a nearby trailer.

Also seized was 32g of pure methamphetamine, known as P, with a street
value of $32,000, and a quantity of ecstasy tablets from another shed.

A 36-year-old man has been charged with possession of methamphetamine
for supply, possession of ecstasy, possession of cannabis and two
charges of cultivating cannabis.

He will appear in Tauranga District Court on February 18.