A fleeing driver who thought he had evaded police instead led
them straight to a cannabis-growing operation in Manawatu.
Highway patrol officers tried to pull over the man about 5pm
yesterday after he was detected driving at high speeds on
Highway 56, near Rangiotu.
When they signalled for him to stop, the man fled and police
followed him to a property.
"Officers tracked the man to a rural property and upon
arrival they detected a strange smell lingering around the
house. After carrying out a search of the house officers
discovered an indoor cannabis growing operation," Senior
Sergeant Kris Burbery said.
More than 70 cannabis plants were discovered in three rooms
of the house, several of which were ready for harvesting.
A 38-year-old Himatangi man was charged with cultivation of
cannabis and possession of equipment to cultivate cannabis
and was to appear in Palmerston North District Court today.
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