Northland police have made an unusual discovery during a cannabis and cash bust: life-sized gorilla and dinosaur statues.

On Tuesday afternoon, police announced they’d found the “larger-than-life” duo while carrying out a series of search warrants in Northland earlier this month.

An “amount” of cannabis and $13,000 in cash were also seized during the raids.

Kerikeri police had been investigating several reports of burglaries in the mid-North and Whangārei when they made the unusual find.

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Three search warrants were carried out in the region, which led to what police have called the “grizzly discovery” last week.

“Sophie” the dinosaur, and her life-sized gorilla friend were found at one property. The pair had been reported stolen from a commercial address in Kerikeri in May.

They have since been reunited with the local business.

According to Detective Sergeant Bart Graham, the statues’ owner was pleased to have both back – but disappointed they were damaged.

“While police are glad to be able to return the items, it is unacceptable to take property that does not belong to you, and very disheartening to return the items in a poor condition,” Graham said.

Police also found three vehicles, vehicle parts and a commercial truck and trailer unit believed to have been stolen in recent months during their investigation.

Four men, aged between 18 and 36, have been arrested and charged in relation to these incidents and are due to reappear in the Kaikohe and Whangārei District Courts in the future.