"Waikato Police say thousands of dollars of community harm prevented by cannabis operation"

Reflecting on the success of a recent cannabis recovery operation, a senior Waikato detective says the results show strong links between illicit drugs and illegal firearms are an ongoing risk.

District Crime Services Co-ordinator, Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall, said the operation that finished last week was the Waikato phase of Op Jasmine, a national cannabis and crime operation.

"Over the two week operation teams of Police on foot, in vehicles, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters combined to recover 6946 cannabis plants during the search of 57 properties across the Waikato.

"One and a half kilos of dried cannabis was also recovered alongside quantities of methamphetamine, LSD, Ecstasy and GBL/Fantasy.

A total of 16 firearms of various calibres were seized along with a variety of ammunition, $18,000 in cash and about $27,000 worth of stolen property including a digger."

Mr Keall said a total of 30 arrests were made for a variety of offences while 10 people were issued formal warnings.

"In addition three referrals have been made to the Police's Asset Recovery Unit in relation to properties with an estimated combined value of over $1 million while officers involved in the operation referred one child to Child Youth and Family in relation to welfare issues.

"Of note a large percentage of the cannabis plants recovered were located in the Coromandel Peninsula in areas north of Whitianga.

A lot of the recoveries were also made in traditional growing areas such as in farmers' maize crops or in parks and reserves and private forestry blocks."

Mr Keall said cannabis growers often use reserves or target farmers' crop paddocks to disguise their identities.

"The number of people growing commercial quantities of cannabis on their own properties is becoming less and less and innocent land owners are increasingly becoming victims of their activities.

"Growers are still targeting farms to obtain materials that aid their enterprises from fencing materials, water pipes and irrigation materials through to quad bikes and other vehicles to access their crops."

One of the most effective tools in combating this type of crime has been the introduction of the independent anonymous Crimestoppers phone line.

"We've noticed an increase in the numbers of calls being made and we encourage people with information on illegal drug activity and we encourage more people to make use of the service.

"There is obviously a groundswell of support from rural landowners and recreational bush visitors for Police to take action against such offenders because while we were out on our operations we were continually being approached by members of the public outlining where other illegal crops were."

Mr Keall said though the larger scale operation had been completed Police will continue to take action when the public advises them of illegal drug or firearms activity.

"Just make the call, either to Police directly or through Crimestoppers- your information does make a difference."

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