Sixteen people have been arrested following a joint police and immigration operation that shut down 14 active cannabis grow houses across Rotorua, according to authorities. Bay of Plenty Field Crime Manager Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow stated that the multi-agency sting removed up to $6.5 million worth of cannabis from the black market.
Operation Harvey Execution Across Rotorua and Auckland
On Tuesday, 25 search warrants were executed across Rotorua and Auckland. The operation involved more than 220 staff members from the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Auckland districts, alongside support from electrical companies. According to police, the electrical personnel were deployed to make the properties safe and assist with the investigation phase of Operation Harvey, a joint effort between police and Immigration New Zealand officers from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Out of 21 residential properties searched in Rotorua, 14 contained active and significant cannabis grow operations, with 10 of those situated in residential rental areas. Investigators seized over 3,500 high-value plants alongside 97 pounds of dried cannabis head packaged for the wholesale market. Detective Inspector Pilbrow noted that while the bulk sale value sits at $1.8 million, the street market value exceeds $6.5 million depending on how the drugs are sold.
Criminal Charges and Proceeds Recovered Under the Law
Of the 16 Vietnamese nationals arrested during the raids, 14 face charges related to the cannabis growing setup and associated offences, while two face Immigration Act offences, according to police. Authorities also seized tens of thousands of dollars in cash and growing equipment that Pilbrow estimated to be worth more than $1 million alone. Five residential properties, 21 bank accounts, and two vehicles have been restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
Police allege that all 14 grow houses illegally diverted power from nearby electricity boxes. Conservative estimates indicate the operators stole about $30,000 worth of electricity per week to run the facilities. According to Pilbrow, houses had been altered to maximize space and fitted with specialized timing and ventilation systems designed to assist plant growth while evading detection.
Landlord Vigilance and Potential Next Steps
Authorities warned that organized criminal groups continue to convert suburban rental properties into large-scale commercial drug operations. Landlords are urged to remain vigilant for warning signs such as blacked-out or permanently covered windows, extractor fans, ventilation systems, external structural alterations, or tampered electricity meters.
Police recommend that property owners conduct thorough background checks before signing tenants, including reference checks, face-to-face meetings with valid ID checks, and income verifications. Regular inspections are also advised, with cash rent payments or offers of overpayment to avoid inspections highlighted as major red flags.
As the investigation remains ongoing, further search activity is planned across Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. Police stated that additional arrests and charges have not been ruled out as authorities continue to target the criminal network.
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