SMOKEU
18th August 2009, 12:38
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/2762951/Police-drug-operation-nets-over-11-000-cannabis-plants/
Police arrested over 250 people including gang members and repeat offenders on cannabis charges in the central district alone this year.
They say the haul of 11,047 plants and 257 arrests, part of Operation Kirsty, has saved the taxpayer $30 million in “social harm” costs and put a “significant dent” in the cannabis trade.
Police spokesman Constable Dave Kirk said the annual campaign was aimed at getting drugs off the streets.
"The social harm that the cannabis trade creates is huge. Health, education, employment, the benefits system are all affected by the influences of drugs on people's lives. It is estimated that this year's seizure in Central District alone has saved the country $29,746,170 in social harm costs.
"That sort of cost to society cannot be underestimated and we will continue to do everything in our power to disrupt the trade and bring those responsible to account."
Mr Kirk said the anti-cannabis work involved surveillance phases where they identified where crops were being grown before officers moved in to arrest the offenders and pull out the plants. Some raids were made after police were lowered from Air Force Iroquois helicopters.
The most prolific cannabis growing regions were Ruapehu, with 1504 plants recovered and Wanganui, with 2024 plants. Police said the topography meant they were good areas for growers.
The biggest single haul was in the Tararua area with 852 plants seized from a single plot.
In addition to the 7952 plants recovered from the aerial operation, a further 3095 were recovered as a result of intelligence gathering and the execution of search warrants, police said.
While the number of plants seized in total was down by 1181 on last year, the number of offenders arrested rose, police said.
Police arrested over 250 people including gang members and repeat offenders on cannabis charges in the central district alone this year.
They say the haul of 11,047 plants and 257 arrests, part of Operation Kirsty, has saved the taxpayer $30 million in “social harm” costs and put a “significant dent” in the cannabis trade.
Police spokesman Constable Dave Kirk said the annual campaign was aimed at getting drugs off the streets.
"The social harm that the cannabis trade creates is huge. Health, education, employment, the benefits system are all affected by the influences of drugs on people's lives. It is estimated that this year's seizure in Central District alone has saved the country $29,746,170 in social harm costs.
"That sort of cost to society cannot be underestimated and we will continue to do everything in our power to disrupt the trade and bring those responsible to account."
Mr Kirk said the anti-cannabis work involved surveillance phases where they identified where crops were being grown before officers moved in to arrest the offenders and pull out the plants. Some raids were made after police were lowered from Air Force Iroquois helicopters.
The most prolific cannabis growing regions were Ruapehu, with 1504 plants recovered and Wanganui, with 2024 plants. Police said the topography meant they were good areas for growers.
The biggest single haul was in the Tararua area with 852 plants seized from a single plot.
In addition to the 7952 plants recovered from the aerial operation, a further 3095 were recovered as a result of intelligence gathering and the execution of search warrants, police said.
While the number of plants seized in total was down by 1181 on last year, the number of offenders arrested rose, police said.