A massive bust

This really was a massive bust:

A national indoor gardening chain would not have turned a profit if it hadn’t been knowingly supplying equipment and advice to cannabis growers, police say.

Directors, managers and staff from the 16 Switched On Gardener stores – which are advertised on national television – around the country have been arrested and charged as part of Operation Lime which targeted businesses responsible for the commercial sale of equipment used to grow cannabis.

Police yesterday raided indoor gardening stores, including Switched on Gardener branches in Auckland and Tauranga and GreenDay Hydroponics in Mt Maunganui.

They swooped on 35 businesses and at least 100 homes throughout New Zealand.

More than 250 suspects were arrested, and 750 charges are likely to be laid. …

They said that over two years undercover officers bought equipment, were given advice on how to grow cannabis, and even bought cannabis and other drugs over the counter.

It is rare to see corporate suppliers charged, rather than just the growers. The key is proving knowledge of what the product was to be used for. If, as reported, they gave out advice on how to use them to grow cannabis, they are likely to be in serious trouble.