Pubdate: Mon, 30 Oct 2006
Source: Gisborne Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2006 The Gisborne Herald Co. Ltd
Contact:  http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/home.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/924
Author: Nicola Brennan

POLICE SEEK HELP TO STAMP OUT COAST CANNABIS CROPS

Cannabis Continues to Cause Increasing Problems for East Coast 
Communities and Gisborne Police Are Fed Up.

They are calling on the public of Gisborne to help them catch those 
cultivating huge outdoor crops and help put an end to related crime.

The public has been asked to provide the police with the locations of 
outdoor cannabis plantations and for their help in identifying those 
responsible for growing and tending the plants.

Detective Eric Hunter said cannabis was a significant problem for 
communities in the Gisborne, East Coast and Wairoa areas, with its 
use and cultivation widespread.

Det Hunter said the East Coast featured as one of the country's 
largest cannabis producing districts.

There had been an increase in the amount of cannabis destroyed in 
this area during the past few years, with police destroying more than 
14,000 plants during the 2006 growing season in one operation alone.

Large plantations had been found in more remote rural locations. 
However, smaller operations had been found close to the city's boundaries.

"Cannabis, along with other drugs, has a significant impact on 
communities with its related crime, which includes theft and 
burglaries," he said.

There was a real risk to landowners and the public. This became 
heightened when the plants reached maturity and became more valuable, 
particularly if a confrontation between those protecting their plots 
and the public occurred.

"Damage to areas of native bush and private property is also 
prevalent and has a detrimental effect," Det Hunter said.

The health impacts of its use, both physical and mental, were also significant.

Police were continuing to make inroads into the detection and 
prosecution of people involved in the cultivation of cannabis, but 
needed the public's help to continue their work.

Workers and recreational users in rural areas, such as farmers, 
hunters, anglers, and mountain bikers were likely to come across 
cannabis plots.

He advised anyone who did so to withdraw from the area immediately 
and advise police.

The public has been urged to be on the lookout for suspicious 
vehicles, persons and damage or theft of property.

Anyone with information about cannabis plantations is urged to 
contact the Gisborne police in complete confidence via the 0800 Crime 
Line (0800 274 632) or directly to Detective Eric Hunter 06 869 0268.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elaine