Pubdate: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand) Copyright: 2003 New Zealand Herald Contact: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300 Author: NZPA (Wire) POLICE BLITZ DENTS DRUG TRADE Police say they have made a big dent in Northland's multimillion-dollar drug trade during a two-week blitz. Stolen property valued at more than $110,000 was found as well as loaded firearms. Operation Jack ended this week after a team of 20 police officers sprayed or ripped out 29,034 plants around the region as part of a national cannabis eradication programme. The figure was well up on last year's tally of 26,232 plants, which were destroyed over a rain-interrupted four-month period. Only 17,000 cannabis plants were seized in Northland during the 2001 drug recovery operation. A fixed-wing plane was used this year in combination with a helicopter and spray unit, ground crews in four-wheel-drive vehicles and three police dogs. Cannabis was the prime target during the operation, but two methamphetamine laboratories were discovered. One alleged speed lab was in a garage, about 50m from State Highway 1, on the northern outskirts of Kaitaia. The other suspected lab was in a house at Donnellys Crossing, near Dargaville, where police say they found chemicals and equipment used to manufacture speed and cannabis oil. Explosives and ammunition were also allegedly found at the property. A $50,000 vehicle stolen from Auckland was found at a Kaitaia house during a search, and a $30,000 boat, a $10,000 boat and a $3000 outboard motor were alos recovered. Two stolen quad bikes were seized from alleged cannabis growers at Kaitaia and Kaikohe. Forty-three people are scheduled to make court appearances over the next few weeks on a variety of drug-related charges including manufacturing methamphetamine, cultivation of cannabis for supply and receiving stolen property. Detective Sergeant Grant Smith, head of the Northland drug squad, said the haul had made a major dent in Northland's multimillion-dollar drug scene. The police team struck as crops were ready to harvest. Some large commercial plots had about 1000 plants. "I think a lot of people have realised the financial foundation they can make from cannabis, which enables them to conduct other criminal activities," said Mr Smith. "They are realising there is still good money in it." At an average of $1500 a plant, some commercial growers could have expected to reap over $1.5 million from a plot. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth