Waikato Police urge farmers, hunters and landlords to be wary following successful cannabis operation

With the onset of autumn Waikato Police are again urging members of the public, especially farmers, hunters and trampers to watch for suspicious activity linked to illegal drug growing operations.

Detective Sergeant Graham Pitkethley of the Waikato Crime Control Unit said while outdoor cannabis cultivation primarily occurs over the summer months more hunters are venturing into areas frequented by cannabis cultivators with the approaching hunting road and they needed to be careful.

"Increasingly cannabis growers are taking steps to protect their investment and this may take the form of laying traps, cyanide or arming themselves.

"Every year we receive reports of hunters being driven off their hunting blocks, farmers having commercial crops damaged, livestock disturbed and equipment stolen."

Mr Pitkethley said people who find themselves approached by people involved in such activity should not confront them but instead advise Police.

"The best way to protect yourselves and to prevent growers returning to your favourite hunting area or your property is by reporting suspicious activity to us; your calls will be treated in confidence."

Now summer has ended drug cultivators are returning to the bush, following the harvest, to refurbish their growing sites.

"Landowners located nearby often report irrigation equipment, polythene and quad bikes going missing so we're asking people to be mindful of this and to take down the details of any suspicious vehicles they see in the area.

"And it's not just rural areas at risk, late last year emergency services were called to properties in Dinsdale and nearby Whatawhata after explosions while offenders were making cannabis oil."

In both incidents young children were present at the properties indicating the risks manufacturers are willing to place not only themselves in but their families as well.

"Our inquiries have shown that many offenders commit their crimes while they have young children present.

"We saw this last December when Waikato Police found a mother high on methamphetamine breastfeeding a baby while another child was found with drug residue in its hair. During the course of this operation a number of people have been refereed to Child Youth and Family for exposing their children to there drug use and dealing."

Mr Pitkethley said drug offenders were playing for high stakes which is why Police urge both rural and urban residents and recreational land users to report suspicious drug activity and work with the them to remove cultivators from their land or manufacturers and dealers from their neighbourhoods.

"The harm to society posed by 'P' is well known but there appears to be an attitude developing where cannabis is seen as a lesser evil. This is despite the fact that cannabis related admissions to hospitals are greater than the number of admissions for amphetamines, cocaine and opiates combined."

Each year Waikato Police target cannabis cultivators over the growing season and this year have, so far, destroyed over $10,500 plants within their District.

"More than 75 offenders have been identified and charged with cannabis, methamphetamine, ecstasy, cannabis seed and oil, clandestine laboratories and chemicals being discovered during our operation.

"The discovery of other drugs and materials related to drug manufacturing comes as no surprise given that methamphetamine is what is known as a poly-drug with users using cannabis to come down on. A 2006 study by the Christchurch School of Medicine for instance showed that the regular use of cannabis increases the risks that young people will try other illicit drugs."

Property damage caused by drug cultivators is another issue effecting both farmers and urban rental property owners.

"Trespass and damage to commercial crops, irrigation systems and rental properties were again evident in the Waikato this year and in one case growers had removed significant amounts of maize in one plantation to plant over 800 cannabis plants.

"We also recovered stolen property and vehicles during the course of our inquiries highlighting that drug dealers drive other types of crime, particularly dishonesty offending such as burglary and theft."

Over $35,000 in cash was also seized from offenders.

Mr Pitkethley said with the Waikato having one of the country's highest levels of cannabis related hospital admissions it is a concern for society as a whole that parents subject their children to this kind of harm.

Anyone suspecting drug related activity is taking place near their home, work or in recreational areas they visit is urged to report it to Police by contacting their local Police Station, the Waikato Drug Squad on (07) 858 4683, or alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers Crimeline on 0800 555 111.

Waikato results
                                                                           2010/11                           2011/12

Total number of Plants                                   9304                                10572
Sprayed                                                             7753                                   5704
Recovered Ground Teams                            1021                                   1981
Recovered Search Warrants/Sec 18             530                                    2887
Arrests                                                                   68                                        80
Firearms seized                                                  16                                          9
Searches total                                                     72                                        81
Warrants                                                              44                                         52
Sec 18                                                                  28                                         29
Asset Recovery Unit Action                                2                                            3
Stolen Property/Cash recovered              79000.00                         196000.00