Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2005
Source: Ashburton Guardian, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 The Ashburton Guardian
Contact:  http://www.ashburtonguardian.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3192
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

WATCHING OUT FOR CANNABIS PATCHES

Mid Canterbury residents are being reminded to keep their eyes open
for cannabis plants or any suspicious activity in the district's rural
areas.

Cannabis growers have become more sophisticated over the years in
choosing sites for growing their crop.

Whereas in the past growers have almost exclusively gone for large
areas in riverbeds, in recent times they have gone to smaller, more
scattered sites in an effort to avoid detection.

Ashburton police undertook a letterbox drop of flyers to rural
households throughout the district last week, including in the towns
of Methven and Rakaia. The flyers urged people to report any
suspicious activity or cannabis plants in their area.

Senior sergeant Arnold Kelly said today police needed residents to be
aware.

"They are the eyes and ears of what's happening in that particular
part of the world."

Seedlings tend to be planted from November onwards, and crops grown
throughout the summer.

He said the areas growers planted in ranged from farm crops such as
corn and maize to roadside rest areas.

"Smaller more random plantings are more difficult to find," Mr Kelly
said.

Cannabis cultivation is often linked to organised criminal activity,
with some growers being involved in theft and burglary.

"If you see any activity that is suspicious, or any strange vehicles
or people that look out of place, or any sign of cannabis cultivation
including potting mix bags, cultivated areas, or gardening equipment
or anything that looks out of place, then please note the time, date
and place, registration numbers of any vehicles or descriptions of any
persons and forward this information to your local police station,"
the flyer says.

People with any information, which would be treated in the strictest
confidence, are urged to phone Mark Prendergast at Ashburton Police on
307-8407. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake