Public's support contributes to drug operation success

This year's Central District Cannabis and Crime operation is being declared a success and public information is cited as a major contributor for it.

This year's operation saw a total of 10,224 plants recovered compared to 10,134 last year. 5,918 of this year's haul was from the aerial operation with the remaining 4,306 coming from search warrants.

"The total number of plants seized this year is outstanding. The operation has been a success and the significant amount of public support we have received has been a major contributor to this," says Detective Senior Sergeant Keith Borrell, Central District Operation Coordinator.

"Information received directly and through Crimestoppers sends a clear message that people don't want drugs in their communities. The public's support partnered with our enforcement activities delivers a strong blow to illicit drug rings."

Together with the rural recovery there is a significant ground phase which this year resulted in 80 search warrants against drug dealers and cultivators in the district.

The annual operation starts with an intelligence-gathering phase and is followed by an aerial recovery phase using Air Force Iroquois helicopters to winch police officers into cannabis plots.

Cannabis grows were located in 108 plots and 122 offenders have been identified resulting in 178 charges.

Officer's also located two clan labs and recovered firearms, vehicles, cannabis seeds, ecstasy tablets, and methamphetamine.

"Police are committed to dismantling illicit drug networks and with the vital support of the public we can keep drugs out of communities and ensure that they are safe places to live."

In the past few weeks Central District Police have made two significant drug seizures (not part of the above operation) at properties in Waverley and Levin.

Last week an indoor cannabis growing operation was located at a property in Levin during a search warrant. Police seized approximately 67 cannabis plants and just over one kilogram of quality cannabis heads. A 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged with cultivating and possessing cannabis. The investigation is ongoing.

Three weeks ago a cannabis drying operation was located at a property just north of Waverley. The property had been of interest to Police for some time and a search warrant was executed. Officers seized 770 plants that were drying in a shed and several kilograms of quality cannabis head. Police believe that the cannabis was grown at another location and brought to the shed to dry out. Four men have been arrested and charged. A 59-year-old was charged with allowing their premises to be used for drug offending and the other three in their mid-thirties have been charged with cultivating cannabis and possession for supply. This investigation is also ongoing.

If you have information about drug cultivation, manufacture or supply rings please contact your local Police Station. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Area results for aerial recovery phase:
Taranaki - 1,052 plants
Ruapehu - 2,344 plants
Whanganui - 1,737plants
Manawatu - 785 plants

Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.