Switched on Gardener switched off?

[Tank]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3627912/Undercover-cops-bust-huge-cannabis-growing-ring

ouch!

[Lias]

Article doesnt actually name SoG, but it's an "Indoor Growing Specialist" with 16 stores nationwide. It's not hard to join the dots lol. I lol'd at undercovers buying cannabis cultivars over the counter.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3627912/Undercover-cops-bust-huge-drug-ring

A major undercover cannabis operation has led to nationwide arrests with more than 700 charges laid against more than 250 people involved in the sale of equipment used for growing cannabis.

Police this morning swooped on 35 businesses and numerous residential addresses throughout the country as search warrants were executed as part of 'Operation Lime'.

The two year operation targeted businesses and individuals responsible for the commercial sale of equipment used in the growing of cannabis.

The search warrants included 16 branches and the distribution centre of a major national supplier of indoor growing supplies.

More than 250 offenders face over 700 charges which were laid against employees, managers and directors of the companies and growers involved, police said in a statement this afternoon.

Over 100 commercial cannabis growing operations linked to the businesses were also found and dismantled during the operation. A further 19 have been discovered today so far.

Police also seized methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy and firearms.

Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope said today's arrests would "break the cornerstone of the illicit cannabis cultivation industry".

Directors and managers of the companies had been arrested and would be facing charges including cultivating cannabis and participating in an organised criminal group.

He said undercover officers had purchased equipment, were given advice on how to grow cannabis, and even purchased cannabis clones and other drugs over the counter from these offenders.

"Businesses have been committing these offences and supporting commercial cannabis growers and organised crime over a long period of time."

TradeMe today also banned the trading of equipment that could be used in the cultivation of cannabis.

[Tank]

Hah ! http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/122547-Switched-on-Gardner-switched-off

snap - although my thread title I thought was wittier.

[Lias]

Hah ! http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/122547-Switched-on-Gardner-switched-off

snap - although my thread title I thought was wittier.

I might be willing to conceed that, but you just posted the link, I posted link, contents and commentary :-P

[Lias]

PS: Mods plz merge mine and tanks threads k thx la~

[imdying]

TradeMe today also banned the trading of equipment that could be used in the cultivation of cannabis.What, like lights, fans, and water pumps? Seriously?

[2wheeldrifter]

I got my kit for growing chillies :)

[peasea]

Article doesnt actually name SoG, but it's an "Indoor Growing Specialist" with 16 stores nationwide. It's not hard to join the dots lol. I lol'd at undercovers buying cannabis cultivars over the counter.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3627912/Undercover-cops-bust-huge-drug-ring

A major undercover cannabis operation has led to nationwide arrests with more than 700 charges laid against more than 250 people involved in the sale of equipment used for growing cannabis.

Police this morning swooped on 35 businesses and numerous residential addresses throughout the country as search warrants were executed as part of 'Operation Lime'.

The two year operation targeted businesses and individuals responsible for the commercial sale of equipment used in the growing of cannabis.

The search warrants included 16 branches and the distribution centre of a major national supplier of indoor growing supplies.

More than 250 offenders face over 700 charges which were laid against employees, managers and directors of the companies and growers involved, police said in a statement this afternoon.

Over 100 commercial cannabis growing operations linked to the businesses were also found and dismantled during the operation. A further 19 have been discovered today so far.

Police also seized methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy and firearms.

Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope said today's arrests would "break the cornerstone of the illicit cannabis cultivation industry".

Directors and managers of the companies had been arrested and would be facing charges including cultivating cannabis and participating in an organised criminal group.

He said undercover officers had purchased equipment, were given advice on how to grow cannabis, and even purchased cannabis clones and other drugs over the counter from these offenders.

"Businesses have been committing these offences and supporting commercial cannabis growers and organised crime over a long period of time."

TradeMe today also banned the trading of equipment that could be used in the cultivation of cannabis.

Darn, there goes my plan for the winter.

[phill-k]

When did bloody trade me become holier than thou - this mean they won't be selling anything that could be used in the committing of a crime - cars, bikes, glass tubing, guns, masks.

Amazing that they didn't come knocking on my door as living in Northland and having bought hydroponic gear that must almost make me guilty. Meanwhile the real problem - "P" and the labs etc carry on, wonder how many man hours went into their operation lime, that could have been more usefully delegated to fighting the serious issues such as "P"

[FJRider]

Amazing that they didn't come knocking on my door as living in Northland and having bought hydroponic gear that must almost make me guilty.

The hydroponic gear is readily available ... and cheaper, if its bought from Plumbing outlets, and Dick Smith shops. :innocent:

[peasea]

wonder how many man hours went into their operation lime, that could have been more usefully delegated to fighting the serious issues such as "P"

...and u-turning cops.

[EJK]

I wont get to see the Godzilla on TV now then, aye?

[onearmedbandit]

That chain was only veiled by some gladwrap. I was wondering how long they would last, they've always been very free with their advice. Which did absolutely nothing for my tomatoes.

Ha, there will a lot of 'paranoid' smokers out there. The police claim customer were observed purchasing and followed, and should expect a visit from the police. Even if it's just a scare tactic, even if they only followed one person, there's going to be a lot of growers getting very nervous.

[marty]

...and u-turning cops.
straight from the article:

Police also seized methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy and firearms

[Tank]

The police claim customer were observed purchasing and followed, and should expect a visit from the police. Even if it's just a scare tactic, even if they only followed one person, there's going to be a lot of growers getting very nervous.

More likely to be punters who used a credit card or eftpos for large transactions.

[748south]

LOL like it wasnt quite obviously "switched on pot growing gear", to be honest i cant really see why else you would want to grow plants inside with huge heat lamps etc.........i t confused me every time i saw the add

[748south]

" I got my kit for growing chillies "

........of course you did dude. :)

[Str8 Jacket]

straight from the article:

Police also seized methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy and firearms

Of course, "no one is available to talk right now"
as
"no one can actually talk"

[onearmedbandit]

More likely to be punters who used a credit card or eftpos for large transactions.

Just how much would you define as 'large'? :shifty:

[Mudfart]

in the days wen SOG started up, the cops were sussing it out straight away. after a few years, wen i saw the ads running i thought theymust be legitimately accpeted by police. i gues not, it only took them 15 years to decide to shut it down.
oh well, by now every second house has a hydro kit. i just wish they would force trademe to stop selling all the equipment needed to make P.

[fliplid]

Just as I was about to get into growing veggies in me wardrobe or spare cupboard space, as suggested in their radio ad! d'oh!

[Tank]

Just how much would you define as 'large'? :shifty:

enough that it makes a copper on 55k go hmmmmmm:shifty:

[Mom]

Do not stress you lot, simply use the spouting on your house instead. It is called drip to waste hydroponics :yes: Simply mix up a brew of fertiliser and have a hose attachment that draws off some of your brew as plain water passes by. Spray onto your roof twice a day and hey presto, instant hydroponic growing operation. Failing that use the roof space of your house (it is really warm up there) use thinline alcathene and drip tubes into grow bags. Make sure you use some supporting timber across the roof trusses, or your crop will end up in the lounge :yes: These growing tips brought to you by an ex property manager. I have more, feel free to ask :laugh:

[peasea]

straight from the article:

Police also seized methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy and firearms

All of which will come in handy down at the police bar..........

[Blackshear]

How many big fat carrots can you grow, in a hydro-ponic - wardrobe.
Grow whatcha want and no-one needn't know, with a hydro-ponic - wardrobe.

I think the radio advert went something like that.

[peasea]

More likely to be punters who used a credit card or eftpos for large transactions.

You deserve to be busted if you buy that sort of equipment via those methods. Except, of course, if you're genuinely into hydroponic gardening for vege stocks etc.

I'd laugh my arse off if someone got busted with a shitload of SOG gear and all they were growing were tomatoes. (Fat chance.)

[peasea]

How many big fat carrots can you grow, in a hydro-ponic - wardrobe.
Grow whatcha want and no-one needn't know, with a hydro-ponic - wardrobe.

I think the radio advert went something like that.

A bit of false advertising really, coz everyone knows now!

[marty]

Just how much would you define as 'large'? :shifty:

*disclaimer* Not from SOG *

I've dealt with a purchase of hydroponic growing supplies in excess of $200k. Multiple lights (to cover a stripped out 200m2 house @ $2k each, CO2 generators, heaters, plumbing, pumps etc etc. Required a curtain-sider to move it.

Other smaller purchases around $50k/time were quite common - that will fill a decent tandem trailer or furniture trailer

[Madness]

A mate at work told me today he called into a SOG outlet last year when out of town on business and explained how he was comfortable flying to said location with supplies in tow. No worries, the salesperson apparently popped out the back for a second and came back with some "finished goods", ready for consumption.

Now that's what I call customer service!.

[Fatt Max]

Fuck dudes, just woken up, whats happening.......oh man thats so heavy....yeah.......dude......yeah man........fuck I'm wasted.....where's my car......fuck...........

[scissorhands]

What a horrible thing to do

[Usarka]

straight from the article:

Police also seized methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy and firearms

They always get the good shit.

[davereid]

I saw it on the news, I didn't see anything that said they had found SOG shops actually growing dope. If a staff member, even a company director has sold a few grams, thats not necessarily reason to raid every shop nationwide.

I understand police raided the houses of customers, staff and directors and found all sorts of stuff... but a raid on Palmers staff and customers or even the staff of the local bakery or Mitre10 might turn up a grow house and a hot shotgun.

I'm not sure why selling something legal, even if you have clear disdain for the law can be come illegal.

And I'm uncomfortable with the idea that shopping somewhere that sells a legal product, even if it offers free advice on how to use the product illegally actually justifies a raid and search of the premises, and the homes of staff and customers.

[huff3r]

I saw it on the news, I didn't see anything that said they had found SOG shops actually growing dope. If a staff member, even a company director has sold a few grams, thats not necessarily reason to raid every shop nationwide.

I understand police raided the houses of customers, staff and directors and found all sorts of stuff... but a raid on Palmers staff and customers or even the staff of the local bakery or Mitre10 might turn up a grow house and a hot shotgun.

I'm not sure why selling something legal, even if you have clear disdain for the law can be come illegal.

And I'm uncomfortable with the idea that shopping somewhere that sells a legal product, even if it offers free advice on how to use the product illegally actually justifies a raid and search of the premises, and the homes of staff and customers.

Did you not see the bit where they found 250 people breaking the law? 250! Most of them staff and managers, this wasnt a few seperate cases, this was a distribution network!

[scissorhands]

Price of outdoor just went up $40 an oz, big deal.

[Berries]

Bastards. Heard the news, figured it must be SOG, then saw this thread.


I got my kit for growing chillies :)

Funnily enough I've got a few things from SOG for my chillies (nagas, bhuts, habs etc), and the wife was always a bit sus about the place. Let's face it, who would have an indoor hydroponic wardrobe for lettuce ? The most telling bit was on their website where they sold "salad spinners" for over $1200 !!! Shit, even the Briscoes woman can knock them out for under 10 bucks. Still, will miss them if they close down, they sold bloody good growing medium. And king size Rizzlas :doobey:

[Swoop]

I think the radio advert went something like that.
Had to chuckle when the radio played that advert again this morning.

The mrs. went in one of the SOG shops for a part of the septic tank drainage system. She was looked at funny when that was "all she wanted"...:shifty:

[davereid]

Did you not see the bit where they found 250 people breaking the law? 250! Most of them staff and managers, this wasnt a few seperate cases, this was a distribution network!

So what ? They found dope at only 1 SOG shop. Not a very effective distribution network "try another branch we are out of stock" comes to mind.

Lots of doors got kicked in, tooled up police disrupted children and families, possibly causing more trauma to those youngsters than Dads drug of choice ever will.

But it gets even more police state.

Now legitimate shoppers, buying legal products will need photo ID and will be recorded on a register which is for the police to check.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3634270/Police-to-monitor-hydroponics-sales
Auckland field crime manager Detective Inspector Stu Allsopp-Smith said the company's directors and employees were granted bail on the condition that staff maintain records of all customers purchasing equipment at its stores.

They must check every customer's photo identification and record their full name, date of birth, address, contact phone number, and ID serial number.

They must also record descriptions of all purchased items, along with serial numbers or other unique identifications.

Each transaction record should be dated and signed by the employee, and must be made available to police for inspection, Mr Allsopp-Smith said.

"These businesses can continue to operate, but people purchasing legitimately from them will need to produce identification - the obvious inference being that we don't want to in any way frustrate a business from behaving and operating lawfully," he told NZPA.

The last bit is interesting. He acknowledges that the shops are selling legit. products. The offence is selling a product Knowing it will be used for making drugs.

Even if a shop sells products that are useful for growing dope, even if the seller encourages purchasers to grow it, and even if he sincerely wants his customers to grow it, its a long bow to say he knows that how it will be used.

The best bit being, that the shoppers that now have to cough up ID, aren't guilty or even being charged with any crime.

[peasea]

So what ? They found dope at only 1 SOG shop. Not a very effective distribution network "try another branch we are out of stock" comes to mind.

Lots of doors got kicked in, tooled up police disrupted children and families, possibly causing more trauma to those youngsters than Dads drug of choice ever will.

But it gets even more police state.

Now legitimate shoppers, buying legal products will need photo ID and will be recorded on a register which is for the police to check.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3634270/Police-to-monitor-hydroponics-sales
Auckland field crime manager Detective Inspector Stu Allsopp-Smith said the company's directors and employees were granted bail on the condition that staff maintain records of all customers purchasing equipment at its stores.

They must check every customer's photo identification and record their full name, date of birth, address, contact phone number, and ID serial number.

They must also record descriptions of all purchased items, along with serial numbers or other unique identifications.

Each transaction record should be dated and signed by the employee, and must be made available to police for inspection, Mr Allsopp-Smith said.

"These businesses can continue to operate, but people purchasing legitimately from them will need to produce identification - the obvious inference being that we don't want to in any way frustrate a business from behaving and operating lawfully," he told NZPA.

The last bit is interesting. He acknowledges that the shops are selling legit. products. The offence is selling a product Knowing it will be used for making drugs.

Even if a shop sells products that are useful for growing dope, even if the seller encourages purchasers to grow it, and even if he sincerely wants his customers to grow it, its a long bow to say he knows that how it will be used.

The best bit being, that the shoppers that now have to cough up ID, aren't guilty or even being charged with any crime.

Following that sentiment from the cops it might come to pass that if we want to buy some potting mix from Bunnings (or wherever) for the Poinsettia, a 'Growlux' lamp from Lighting Direct for the fish tank and a fan to keep the bedroom cool in the evening from Harvey Norman we're going to have to produce ID?

What a bunch of fuckin' Nazis.

[Indiana_Jones]

But it gets even more police state.

Now legitimate shoppers, buying legal products will need photo ID and will be recorded on a register which is for the police to check.


Funny.......firearm owners like myself have been saying that for a while but no one else seems to give a fuck....

-Indy