Police take to the air in Eastern cannabis operation
Police in spotter planes flying over Napier and Hastings urban areas resulted in 26 city properties being searched in a
cannabis recovery operation targeting drug growers and drug dealers.
Around 14,000 cannabis plants and 13 kilos of the drug were found during the month-long operation, which covered the
Eastern police district from Central Hawke's Bay up to East Cape. Police apprehended 185 people, many of whom will face
a range of offences including supplying cannabis, cultivating cannabis, manufacturing cannabis oil, possession of
cocaine and firearms offences. A small amount of cocaine was found at one house.
Police found 35 firearms at houses where drug offending was taking place. They included shotguns, sawn-off shotguns,
hand guns and 22s. Thirty police staff searched 210 properties in rural and urban areas.
Head of the Eastern Organised Crime Group, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Foster, said police were pleased with the
results of the operation and there would be an ongoing focus on cannabis crime throughout the district.
"These cannabis operations always achieve good results, but it doesn't end there. We are constantly monitoring the
activities of drug offenders and associated criminals. There will be no let-up," Mr Foster said.
A decision to fly over Napier and Hastings suburbs proved lucrative, with a large number of cannabis plants growing in
back yards being spotted from the air. That resulted in a number of drug dealing houses being searched, many with large
quantities of cannabis inside ready for sale.
Mr Foster said the city cannabis activity dispelled the myth that cannabis was usually grown in rural areas away from
the public's gaze.
"Cannabis growers will take their chances anywhere and we rely heavily on the public to tell us if they see anything
suspicious in their neighbour's properties. While some of these plants were reasonably well hidden, some were in quite
open view and would have been noticed easily. We urge people to contact us if they find or see anything to do with drug
activity," he said.
In Wairoa, police searched six properties where cannabis and firearms were found and arrested five people on cannabis
and firearms charges.
Police searching a property in Gisborne found 430 mature plants growing in a back orchard. There was also a
sophisticated grow room set up in a haybarn on the property.
Mr Foster said the trend towards indoor growing was increasing and each year police were finding more indoor growing
operations.
"These are usually quite sophisticated and well-hidden. Many cannabis growers are leaning towards this type of growing
to try to avoid detection by police. Once again, we need to hear from people who notice any strange behaviour in their
neighbourhood or rural area. This could be anything from strange vehicles coming and going from a property or
horticultural equipment being brought onto a property. Any information like that is important to police."
Mr Foster said there was a definite link between drug offending and burglary, with many drug offenders committing
burglaries to fund habits or pay drug debts.
"It is in the interests of the community to report any suspicious activity related to either drugs or burglary. The two
are intertwined and if we can stem either or both types of offending, the community will benefit from it."
Anyone with information about cannabis or other drug activity should contact their nearest police station, or
information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
ENDS