Police hope cannabis operations are paying off

Police in Central District are hoping that a reduction in the number of cannabis plants found during this year's recovery operation is a sign that the hard work to disrupt the trade is paying off.

Operations are run across the country every year with an intelligence-gathering phase followed by a recovery and arrest phase which includes officers being winched down from Air Force Iroquois helicopters to yank the plants from the ground.

This year saw 6,374 plants recovered compared to 9,369 last year in Central District. 4,311 of this year's haul was from the aerial operation with the remaining 2,063 the result of search warrants.

Cannabis grows were located across 92 plots and 129 offenders have been identified resulting in 330 charges. Property valued at $5,800 was seized during the operation along with seven rifles, two shotguns, two handguns, 8421 cannabis seeds and 14.1 kilos of dried cannabis.

The estimated saving in terms of social harm costs is $17,245,661.00

Central District spokesperson Senior Constable Dave Kirk said: "Numbers are down this year and that is pretty much the story across the country. Of course we can't get a trend from one year's results but we'd like to this that it is indicative of us making some sort of headway.

"What we have also found this year is a number of smaller plots. If this is an attempt to try and go under the radar and outsmart us it hasn't worked. We have still found the plants and will continue to keep one step ahead of those who think it is acceptable to make money out of drugs and misery."

Anyone who has any information about drug manufacture or supply should ring their local Police Station. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Area results for aerial recovery phase
Taranaki - 1286 plants
Ruapehu - 566 plants
Whanganui - 1286 plants
Manawatu -1173 plants

Note: Social harm is the estimated financial cost of the cannabis trade on health, education, employment, the benefits system and so on.