More than 1200 cannabis plants estimated to be able to produce, over a year, cannabis with a street value of more than $2 million, were destroyed yesterday as part of the nationwide Operation Lime undercover operation.
Cannabis-growing equipment seized in the South, including lighting kits, fans, timers and lamps, was likely to end up as landfill.
It is understood Switched on Gardener, one of the Dunedin stores raided on Tuesday, has been allowed to continue to trade.
The store remained closed yesterday.
Sixteen of the hydroponic gardening chain's stores and distribution centre were targeted by police with directors, managers and employees arrested.
Thirty-five New Zealand businesses and homes were raided, including two businesses and three homes in Dunedin, and a business and home in Invercargill.
Operation Lime resulted in the arrest of 250 people, who face more than 700 charges, many concerning the supply of equipment and material for the cultivation of cannabis.
Businesses targeted in the nationwide raid will be required to keep comprehensive records of all their customers and turn them over to police.
Detective Hamish Barrons, of the Dunedin CIB, said inquiries were continuing.
Four Dunedin men arrested in the city during Tuesday's nationwide police raids have been remanded on bail on cannabis-related charges.
Michael Craig Fleming (43), Ben Stanley Johnston (29), manager, Dean John O'Fee (30), shop assistant, and Warrington roofer Aaron James Hay (35) were granted registrar's adjournments to post-committal conferences in the Dunedin District Court in June.
All are charged indictably under the Misuse of Drugs Act - Johnston and O'Fee with one charge each of cultivating cannabis and supplying equipment and material capable of being used in the cultivation of cannabis (Johnston, three charges, O'Fee two charges); Fleming with two charges of supplying equipment and material for use in the cultivation of cannabis; and Hay with an indictably laid charge of supplying a book on hydroponics which could be used for the offence of cultivating cannabis and a summary charge of possessing cannabis.
• The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml) plans to hold its 19th annual J-Day in Dunedin's Octagon from noon on Saturday.
Dunedin emergency response group commander Inspector Alastair Dickie said the event would be monitored periodically by police.
