Cannabis crops warning

Police are asking people to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in their communities - especially for gardening of an illicit variety.

Senior Constable Dave Kirk says spring is in the air and this time of year is usually when cannabis growing is well underway.


People are being warned to keep their eyes peeled for cannabis plants.

'Plants being grown outdoors will generally be in the region of waist-height by now and noticeable.

'We strongly encourage residents and visitors to rural areas of the district to be extra vigilant and contact Police immediately if they see any suspicious activity.”

Trampers, hunters and those who work in rural areas and in aviation can be of great help at this time of year by keeping an eye out in their surroundings. 'Cannabis not only causes millions of dollars of social harm each year but it destroys lives and relationships,” says Dave.

Other crimes such as theft and burglary are often committed to fund cannabis habits.

'Police are dedicated to reducing the demand for cannabis and disrupting the supply chain,” adds Dave.

'It just takes one call to Police or Crimestoppers to prevent criminals peddling drugs in your community.”

Police ask the public to report any suspicious activity including people seen repeatedly going to certain locations at odd times of the day and night and shovels, spades and other such equipment being carried into the bush.

The public are also asked to be wary of vehicles in rural areas closed to the public or with difficult access, unusual lights in rural areas at night and distinctive smells coming from rural areas or properties.

Items going missing from rural properties that might be used in accessing plots and cultivation, such as farm bikes and fencing equipment, can also be a giveaway.

Even when cannabis is being grown inside buildings there are tell-tale signs for the public and landlords to look out for, including residents increasing fence heights and curtains being closed day and night.

Shed and garage windows being blocked out also raise suspicion, as do bright lights on constantly or at strange times, sounds of fans continually running and people visiting at all hours of the day and night.

If you have information about drug cultivation, manufacture or supply rings please contact your local Police Station.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 111.

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4 comments

Fear Mongering

Posted on 24-11-2014 16:19 | By Conzar

Please provide proof of such claims that cannabis is harmful. Sunlive,why do you report such rubbish without any counter claims. Its scientific fact that cannabis is not harmful and has great medicinal properties. Many states in the usa are legalizing both recreational and medicinal usage of cannabis. Its ignorant and unethical for cannabis to be illegal.


Agreed

Posted on 24-11-2014 19:01 | By Chris

I agree with Conzar, it's time for New Zealand to end its obsession with outlawing this completely harmless plant. Every single negative externality associated with cannabis is a result of it being illegal. Time to get onto the right side of history and abolish this unworkable prohibition. And shame on Sunlive for their poor reporting - regurgitation NZ Police press releases isn't journalism, and we expect and deserve better from our media outlets.


@Conzar!!!!!

Posted on 24-11-2014 19:27 | By Jimmy Ehu

unfortunately that is the way it is, do not blame Sunlive for the story, as you have every right to make a counter, also if cannabis is so important to you, move to U.S.A, as if you were an alcoholic you would not stay in a town with no beer, would you???, it will take sometime to be made legal.


@Jummy Ehu

Posted on 25-11-2014 18:36 | By Conzar

Your ignorant of me and do not have enough information to make any valid assumptions. Advocating for the legalization of cannabis does not make any statement about the consumption of cannabis by the person advocating it. Also, its very troubling to read that you think I should move to the USA for this issue (which btw the federal USA law still prohibits the usage and growing of cannabis and so the feds can still arrest you regardless of state law). In summary, your comments about me are completely invalid and I will continue to live in NZ and attempt to make it a better place to live. As @Chris stated, its a failure of reporting to just regurgitate the press release from the Police. That's not journalism.


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