Police swoop on cornerstone of cannabis industry

Police swoop on cornerstone of illicit cannabis cultivation industry

Police this morning swooped on 35 businesses and numerous residential addresses throughout the country as search warrants were executed as part of a two-year undercover Police operation codenamed ‘Operation Lime’. This operation targeted businesses and individuals responsible for the commercial sale of equipment to be used for growing cannabis.

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

Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope said today that Operation Lime would break the cornerstone of the illicit cannabis cultivation industry. Search warrants have been executed in every Police District today, he said. Directors and managers of the companies have been arrested and would be facing charges including cultivating cannabis and participating in an organised criminal group.

“Cannabis is the most abused controlled drug in New Zealand. The harm that this drug causes New Zealand communities can be conservatively estimated at 430 million dollars a year. It hurts every community in every part of the country.”

“Our undercover officers 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. This operation aimed to stop the supply of this equipment and has been very successful in doing so.”

Over 250 offenders face over 700 charges laid against employees, managers and directors of the companies and growers involved. Over 100 commercial cannabis growing operations linked to the businesses were also located and dismantled during the operation. A further 19 have been discovered today so far.

Police also seized methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy and firearms.

Deputy Commissioner Pope said that suppliers of illicit equipment to growers would continue to be targeted. “Criminals buying equipment for their cannabis grows were observed and followed. If people purchase these products for illegal purposes, they can expect to receive a visit from the Police.”

“Today we are sending a strong message to those who seek to profit from the cannabis industry - you will not get away with it.”

Proceedings would also be commenced under the new Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 to strip criminals of money and assets.

He said that honest suppliers of equipment to genuine gardeners were not targeted in the operation.

Online auction site TradeMe today also banned the trading of equipment used to cultivate cannabis.

Those arrested will be appearing in District Courts around the country today.

ENDS