Police have arrested more than a dozen people in two separate drug operations in the greater Auckland and Whangarei areas.
They arrested five people after discovering what they said was a methamphetamine laboratory and large cannabis growing operation in Whangarei.
Police said they raided five properties from Onerahi to Mata, south of Whangarei, on Wednesday in an operation to bust an organised burglary ring.
They seized 330 cannabis plants from a central Whangarei house and found a methamphetamine lab at a house in Onerahi.
Officers also found stolen property at several of the houses, including four vehicles, kayaks, dive equipment, saddles, cameras, clothing and jewellery, the police said.
Police said a 53-year-old man, two 22-year-old men, a 31-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman have appeared in court charged with various drug, theft and burglary crimes.
Also over the last week, officers seized and destroyed $2 million worth of cannabis plants across the Auckland region.
Police said they found about 2000 cannabis plants growing in forests, swamps and rural properties, from Port Waikato to Great Barrier Island.
An Air Force helicopter helped to winch police officers down to cannabis plots so they could collect the crops.
Eight people have been arrested so far and charged with cultivating cannabis.
