On 22 December 2011, Eastern Waikato police, assisted by the Armed Offenders Squad, went to a Waihi address and recovered more than sixty stolen items, including a BMW car, a rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition, televisions, iPods, cell phones and jewellery taken from homes in the Waihi and Katikati areas over recent months.[1][2] Sergeant Dave Litton of the Waihi police said the occupants appeared to have been running a receiving operation preying on local residents.[1][2]

The next day, officers searched a rural property on the outskirts of Waihi and found about 630 cannabis plants and eight trays of seedlings in an indoor growing operation under the house.[1][2] None of the plants had reached full maturity and the tallest stood about 1.5 metres; Litton said that at a conservative half pound per plant worth $1,500, the potential mature yield would have been worth $945,000.[1][2]

Two men were arrested in relation to the two discoveries, with further arrests likely.[1][2] Litton said both finds meant significant disruption to the criminal enterprises involved and would help prevent further victims, whether householders burgled by thieves or families of people trapped in illicit drug use.[1][2]