Cannabis charges dismissed

Two Western Bay of Plenty men accused of being members of a cannabis-dealing ring after police raided homes in Te Puke and Maketu have had their charges dismissed.

Luke Wilson, 30, from Maketu, and Wharemoeroa Whare, 18, from Te Puke, were due to be arraigned in Tauranga District Court yesterday on charges of cultivating cannabis, possession of cannabis for supply and participating in an organised criminal group.

But Judge Louis Bidois discharged the men on all matters after the Crown offered no evidence to support the charges which stemmed from police raids in May this year. Several other people are still before the courts facing the same charges.