Large Vietnamese-run cannabis operations busted in Waikato

Author: Waikato Herald,
Publish Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2026, 2:21pm

Police have recovered tonnes of cannabis being grown in large-scale indoor commercial cannabis grow facilities linked to Vietnamese nationals across Waikato.

The Organised Crime Squad found 14 Vietnamese-run grow houses with around 200 to 600 plants in each during multiple searches in recent months – with up to 750kg of cannabis seized at one property alone.

This follows similar recent police operations in Rotorua and Auckland.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said the cannabis operations were also diverting power, stealing up to an estimated $10,000 a month to run the grow premises.

“What we are seeing is rented residential and commercial properties that have been modified and set up as commercial grow operations with ventilation systems to mask the smell and water reticulation.”

Five Vietnamese nationals were arrested at one property on August 19 and all are facing charges of cultivating cannabis for supply.

Vietnamese-run cannabis grow facilities across Waikato were diverting power to run the operation. Photo / New Zealand Police

Another three people were arrested at the same address the following day.

Police said a rented industrial premises in Frankton was set up as a bespoke indoor commercial grow operation with multiple grow rooms, water reticulation and power being diverted.

A fake wall had been erected to disguise the grow rooms from the road and 580 plants of varying age were found inside multiple rooms.

“We would also like to point out that the landlords and owners of these premises were unaware of the activity and shocked by what was located,” Keall said.

“The community has been valuable in assisting us with inquiries and we encourage anyone who may have seen unusual activity, equipment or aromas of cannabis, to please let us know.”

You can report suspicions of an address, or any suspicious activity to police via 105 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Rented residential and commercial properties across Waikato were modified and set up as commercial grow operations Photo / NZ Police

Police are working with Immigration New Zealand in relation to those who have been charged.

Advice for landlords

Police encouraged landlords and property managers to remain vigilant and look out for signs that a property may be being used for illegal drug cultivation.

This activity can cause significant damage, pose a fire risk and may jeopardise insurance payouts, police said.

Landlords need to remember they have obligations to carry out due diligence on prospective tenants.

Police recommend landlords to carry out checks before signing up tenants:

Carry out reference checks.
Meet tenants face-to-face and check IDs
Carry out credit and income verifications

Always ensure you carry out regular inspections of your properties. If tenants have a preference to pay rent in cash or offer to pay more to avoid inspections, that should be a red flag.

Landlords and neighbours can also play a part in stamping out these operations.

Other warning signs can include blacked-out or permanently covered windows, extractor fans, ventilation systems or unauthorised structural changes to the exterior of the property or signs that an electricity meter has been tampered with or bypassed.