Police say more than $40 million worth of cannabis was seized in the annual operation against cannabis growers on the East Coast.
Operation Linda was conducted over the past fortnight, during which at least 12,000 cannabis plants were seized and destroyed.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Foster says a number of firearms were also seized.
He says the number of plants found was up 25% on last year's operation, with each valued at about $3500. The seizures were evenly spread throughout the region.
Several people have appeared in the Hastings District Court in relation to the operation and more people will appear next week in the Napier, Wairoa and Gisborne district courts.
