Pubdate: Sat, 08 Nov 2003 Source: Nelson Mail, The (New Zealand) Copyright: 2003 Independent Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/indexLite/1,2487,0a9,FF.html Website: http://www.nelsonmail.co.nz/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1069 Author: Bernadette Cooney Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) POLICE WARN OF BOOBY-TRAPPED DOPE PLOTS Rural landowners and commercial forestry operators are being urged to look out for booby-trapped cannabis plots as growers embark on traditional spring and summer planting. Detective John Nicholls of Motueka police said cannabis growers were at work throughout the region's forests and farms, planting and tending to this season's plots. Many were protected with cyanide baits, gin traps and fish hooks in an attempt to stop the plants being disturbed by animals and people. "Plots hold dangers for people who happen upon them, and there is usually no obvious indication that they are there," Mr Nicholls said. "If members of the public or landowners discover them, they are advised to leave them alone and contact their local police station." Remote rural areas throughout Motueka and Golden Bay were targeted by growers at this time of year, Mr Nicholls said. Motueka, Brooklyn Valley, East Takaka and Tapawera were favoured growing spots. "The theft and vandalism of property can also become more apparent in the leadup to Christmas, with items such as irrigation pumps, four-wheel motorbikes and netting being taken from storage sheds." Rural property owners who suspected their land was being used for growing cannabis should not confront growers, Mr Nicholls said. "People going down 'no exit' roads then returning an hour later and continuing to do so week after week are signs there could be cannabis activity." Carter Holt Harvey forest leader Phil Wright said injuries to workers who came across booby-trapped plots were a major concern at this time of year. "Workers stumbling across plots is almost a weekly occurrence in every forest throughout Tasman-West Coast at the moment. Although there have been no injuries yet, it's always a risk." Plots were often well concealed among thick gorse and were well camouflaged, he said. "Some go to more trouble than others, but planting amidst a forest of younger trees between three and 15 years old is popular, as it tends to let more light in." Damage to access gates and higher fire risks also became more common. "If they can't get in because gates are locked, they'll ram gates until they do." Growers who chose particularly remote sites on private rural land in the hope they would not be discovered were mistaken, said Federated Farmers' Golden Bay spokesman Kevin McClintock. "It's naive to think we won't see them while we're out moving stock or spraying gorse." - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager