Switched on Gardener switched off?

**Tank** · 27th April 2010, 15:09

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crim...s-growing-ring

ouch!

**Lias** · 27th April 2010, 15:09

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/crim...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** · 27th April 2010, 15:11

Hah ! http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r-switched-off

snap - although my thread title I thought was wittier.

**Lias** · 27th April 2010, 15:17

Originally Posted by Tank

Hah ! http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r-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** · 27th April 2010, 15:19

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

**imdying** · 27th April 2010, 15:20

Originally Posted by Lias

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** · 27th April 2010, 15:21

I got my kit for growing chillies

**peasea** · 27th April 2010, 15:21

Originally Posted by 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/crim...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** · 27th April 2010, 15:22

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** · 27th April 2010, 15:31

Originally Posted by phill-k

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.

**peasea** · 27th April 2010, 15:47

Originally Posted by phill-k

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** · 27th April 2010, 16:13

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

**onearmedbandit** · 27th April 2010, 16:18

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** · 27th April 2010, 16:38

Originally Posted by peasea

...and u-turning cops.

straight from the article:

Police also seized methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy and firearms

**Tank** · 27th April 2010, 16:38

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

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.