More charges have been laid against two Cromwell men arrested as part of a police operation targeting drug cultivation and dealing in the south.
The pair were arrested last month after warrants were executed at properties in Cromwell, Tarras and the Haast area.
The operation also led police to remote areas of Crown lease and Department of Conservation land in South Westland, where a series of cannabis plots were discovered.
Fifteen more charges were laid against the pair when they appeared in the Alexandra District Court yesterday.
Brian Edward Lyttle (44), shearer, of Cromwell, is now facing a total of 12 charges, including supplying methamphetamine, offering to supply meth, cultivating cannabis, offering to sell cannabis, possessing cannabis for supply, unlawfully possessing a firearm, and failing to assist a search.
He made no plea and was remanded in custody until June 13.
Alan MacDonald (52) is facing 22 charges, including supplying methamphetamine, offering to supply meth, cultivating cannabis, possessing cannabis, possessing cannabis for supply, offering to sell cannabis, manufacturing cannabis hash, possessing hash, supplying hash, and unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.
He entered no plea and was remanded on bail until July 19.
All of the charges relate to offending in Cromwell, Tarras, Queenstown and the wider Haast area between December 1 and April 18.
A third man, a 44-year-old from Tarras, was also arrested last month and faces eight drugs-related charges. He was remanded in custody last month and granted interim name suppression.
Charges have also been laid against a fourth man in relation to the investigation.
Simon Calder Banks (57), bar manager, of Jackson Bay, admitted a charge of cultivating cannabis, and denied a charge of possessing cannabis for supply, both on April 18 in Haast, when he appeared in the Alexandra District Court yesterday.
He was remanded on bail for a case review hearing on September 6.
Police say the year-long operation has led to the seizure of more than 20 firearms and 1000 rounds of ammunition.
Southern district criminal investigations manager Detective Inspector Shona Low said it had targeted a commercial crime group that had been causing harm by "pumping drugs into Central Otago and the West Coast".
Specialist search group drones were used to find the areas of interest in the isolated bush, while police officers, in helicopters and on foot, retraced the challenging routes taken by the accused.
