Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jan 2006
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2006 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: Elizabeth Binning and Derek Cheng
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CANNABIS FOUND IN NORTH SHORE DOMAIN

Several cannabis plots were discovered in a North Shore park yesterday
afternoon, but police are not revealing how they found them.

The plots, which contained around 150 plants ranging from seedlings to
nearly mature specimens, were in dense bush on the eastern side of
Birkenhead Domain.

They were in an area that was not likely to be stumbled on by members
of the public, who frequently walk through the domain.

Takapuna Sergeant Glenn Nalder would not say how police had found out
about the plots, only that the discovery was not part of a planned
operation.

"Birkenhead Domain is quite a large area and in parts it's quite
heavily forested so someone's gone to a little bit of effort to make
their way through the bush to find a secluded area," he said.

Mr Nalder described the find as being of moderate size, but could not
give a monetary value last night.

Dave Larson, an attendant at the Glenfield Rd Shell petrol station
across the road from the domain, said a police helicopter started
circling overhead about 2.30pm.

Several police cars turned up soon afterwards, and officers spent
about three hours collecting around 30 bags of material from the
domain, said Mr Larson.

Neighbours were surprised to hear that police had uncovered a cannabis
plantation across the road.

"There are lots of tracks and huge amounts of people going through
there," said one person living near the park.

"I take the dogs through there all the time, and never suspected
anything. This is not a dodgy area."

Mr Nalder said he was also surprised by the find.

"North Shore is one of the safest places in the world to live so in
that sense yes, I am surprised that someone has committed a crime in
my area."

* Takapuna police are now hunting for the person or people who
cultivated the plants and want to hear from anyone who has noticed
suspicious activity in the area.

Ph: 488 6200.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake