Stolen tools dug up on TradeMe | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

A theft victim who recognised his stolen tools being advertised on Trade Me helped Rangiora police recover most of his gear from a Tuahiwi property last week.

And officers executing a search warrant at the Tuahiwi Rd address on Thursday night scored a bonus - nipping a fledgling drugs operation in the bud.

A 20-year-old local man is facing two theft charges and one of cultivating cannabis and will appear in the district court next month.

Detective Sergeant Rex Barnett, of the Rangiora CIB, said about $2000 of contractors' tools were stolen from two vehicles in the Tuahiwi area between December 28 and 30.

Police found most of the tools in the raid on Thursday after the complainant saw them advertised on the Trade Me website.

About $700 worth of tools were still missing, but the theft victim was very pleased to get the bulk of his equipment back.

Detective Sergeant Barnett said tools were easily sold and police regularly advised theft victims to keep an eye on the Trade Me site.

"They'll recognise their property far more easily than us."

Police also found a "small cannabis grove of 24 plants" that had been planted only recently.

"They were in the early stages of growth," he said.