MAN 'GREW 4300 CANNABIS PLANTS ON HIS PROPERTY'

An East Coast man accused of running a massive cannabis growing
operation swore "thanks for f--- all" to a judge who denied him
electronically monitored bail.

Judge Tony Adeane told Manu Terekia Busby Thomas (aka Jobe) in
Gisborne District Court on Friday his outburst was yet another good
reason for denying him bail.

Jobe, 50, of Patutahi, 16km northwest of Gisborne, faces charges of
cultivating cannabis, unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful
possession of three firearms and theft of a motor vehicle.

The charges related to a 4300-plant cannabis growing operation --
described by the judge as a record for the area -- found at a property
belonging to Jobe.

Defence counsel Leighvi Maynard applied for bail but Judge Adeane said
Judge James Rota had opposed bail at a hearing in February for reasons
that were still relevant.