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."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager