Two men who were arrested following an undercover operation in Buller last year admitted drugs charges in Westport District Court yesterday.
David Granville Low, 50, and Reginald Rapley, 51 both pleaded guilty to cultivating and selling cannabis.
The police summary revealed an undercover officer had been central to the operation, aimed at breaking a multi-million dollar drug syndicate, which resulted in 16 arrests.
Police had intercepted communications between parties thought to be involved and had received regular information for several years that organised groups in the Westport area were growing and distributing cannabis on a commercial scale.
The officer was deployed in June last year and made contact with Low and Rapley at a party.
She indicated to Rapley that she sold cannabis and was introduced to Low who told her they could supply all year round.
He showed her a bag containing cannabis head and asked her to refer to it as whitebait over the phone.
The officer made a number of purchases from Low before inquiring about buying in bulk.
Low told her transporting the cannabis would be at her risk and offered advice on how to carry it on domestic flights without being detected.
On November 5 the officer said she wanted to buy 4.7kg. Low's stock had run out, but he said he would source it through an associate. He subsequently offered her 2.35kg for $17,000.
Shane David James Saunders and Blair Matthew Colligan are accused of supplying the cannabis and are among those also facing charges. On December 8 police began a series of raids in towns throughout the Buller region. The search of properties continued for several days with police uncovering a cultivation and supply ring estimated to be worth several million dollars.
The $17,000 was found in a flax bush on a Cape Foulwind homestay property where the officer had stayed with Low and Rapley on several occasions. The pair were yesterday remanded for sentencing in Christchurch High Court on July 14.
