Cannabis crops booming in ideal growing conditions

New Zealanders are taking advantage of the current ideal growing conditions and planting cannabis crops early, say police.  

Cannabis growing season typically kicks off in November and lasts until around April, but perfect weather has seen Northland police already confiscate and destroy 350 plants from a major plantation north of Kaitaia.

The significantly-sized plot was found earlier this month and the metre-high cannabis plants, protected by a fence made of chicken wire, were destroyed by police.

Last cannabis growing season Northland police destroyed 34,428 plants and made 47 arrests.

Northland's expansive native bush is an ideal place for cannabis plots as it provided shelter and cover from the inquisitive eyes of the authorities.