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Police say four people were arrested following a seizure of millions of dollars in assets that were restrained during an operation that targeted large scale commercial cannabis dealers in Southland.

The operation was planned for six months to get an insight into the crime that occurred.

Four search warrants were issued at residential addresses on Tuesday, April 13.

It resulted in three men being arrested; aged 49, 32 and 26 — and a woman, aged 37. They have all been charged with drug offences, including selling and supplying cannabis and cultivation of cannabis.

Source: CC/ New Zealand Police

A growing operation was located, including large amounts of cannabis with a street value of around $60,000. Around $3.2m in assets were restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

$115,000 in Cash was located. Authorities recovered eight firearms while the search warrant occurred. Residential properties and vehicles were believed to have been financed through illegal drug dealings.

Those arrested are expected to reappear in Dunedin District Court during late April or as early as May.

Image: SUPPLIED/New Zealand Police

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