6000 cannabis plants seized

A two week police operation has seen 6946 cannabis plants seized from 57 properties in the Waikato and Coromandel area.

A large percentage of the cannabis plants recovered were located in the Coromandel Peninsula in areas north of Whitianga, says Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall.


A large amount of cannabis was seized during Operation Jasmine.

Nigel says the operation, that ended last week, was the Waikato phase of Op Jasmine - a national cannabis and crime operation.

'Over the two week operation,” says Nigel, 'teams of police on foot, in vehicles, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters combined to recover 6946 cannabis plants during the search of 57 properties across the Waikato.

'One-and-a-half kilos of dried cannabis was also recovered alongside quantities of methamphetamine, LSD, Ecstasy and GBL/Fantasy.”

A total of 16 firearms of various calibres were seized along with a variety of ammunition, $18,000 in cash and around $27,000 worth of stolen property including a digger.

Nigel says a total of 30 arrests were made for a variety of offences while 10 people were issued with formal warnings.

'In addition,” Nigel adds, 'three referrals have been made to the Police's Asset Recovery Unit in relation to properties with an estimated combined value of over $1 million, while officers involved in the operation referred one child to Child Youth and Family in relation to welfare issues.

'A lot of the recoveries were also made in traditional growing areas such as farmers' maize crops or in parks and reserves and private forestry blocks.”

Cannabis growers often use reserves or target farmers' crop paddocks to disguise their identities.

'The number of people growing commercial quantities of cannabis on their own properties is becoming less and less and innocent land owners are increasingly becoming victims of their activities,” he adds.

'Growers are still targeting farms to obtain materials that aid their enterprises from fencing materials, water pipes and irrigation materials through to quad bikes and other vehicles to access their crops.”

One of the most effective tools in combating this type of crime has been the introduction of the independent anonymous Crimestoppers phone line.

Nigel says: 'We've noticed an increase in the numbers of calls being made and we encourage people with information on illegal drug activity and for people to make use of the service.

'There is obviously a groundswell of support from rural landowners and recreational bush visitors for police to take action against such offenders.

'While we were out on our operations we were continually being approached by members of the public outlining where other illegal crops were.”

Nigel says though the larger scale operation had been completed, police will continue to take action when the public advises them of illegal drug or firearms activity.

'Just make the call,” he says, 'either to police directly or through Crimestoppers. Your information does make a difference.”

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