‘Cannabis garden centres' in New Zealand closed

Police have shut a chain of gardening stores in New Zealand they believe are part of the cannabis industry.

All 16 outlets of Switched On Gardener were closed after staff sold drugs, cannabis plants and growing equipment and offered tips to undercover officers, said deputy police commissioner Rob Pope.

As part of a wider crackdown some 35 firms have been shut and 250 people arrested.

Some of those arrested were charged with selling drug-growing equipment, including 600-watt light bulbs, fertilisers, soil test kits, insect sprays, and magazines on cannabis, Mr Pope said.

In New Zealand it is illegal to manufacture or sell equipment knowing it will be used to grow or make drugs. Offenders can be sentenced to a maximum of seven years in prison for cultivating cannabis, while supplying the drug can attract a maximum sentence of 14 years.