Items found included many well-tended, irrigated cannabis plants, 16kg of cannabis head, 17.2kg of cannabis leaf and nine grams of cannabis oil, a class-B controlled drug.

Represented by defence counsels Mike Turner and Philip Watson, the Pope brothers claimed they were no longer living on the property when the plants would have been cultivated and processed. Cherrin had shifted in with his girlfriend at another Canvastown address after a family row and Hemi was living and working in Nelson.

"The facts aren't clear-cut enough," Mr Turner told Judge McKegg and the jury in his closing address yesterday.

Crown prosecutor Craig Ruane said while defence witnesses had created attractive alibis for the accused, "holes" remained in their evidence.

Judge McKegg remanded both men in custody for sentencing on March 17.