National Cannabis and Crime Operation nets major haul of cannabis plants

Police have seized and destroyed more than 130,000 cannabis plants and almost 80 kilograms of dried cannabis during this year’s National Cannabis and Crime Operation.

The six month long national operation uses helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, with assistance from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, to spot and destroy cannabis crops during the cannabis growing season.
This year’s results for the annual operation are the second highest recovery rate of cannabis in the last nine years.

During the operation 607 searches were conducted which led to a significant number of arrests, firearms seized and stolen property recovered.

Operation Dee, carried out during the 2015-2016 growing season, resulted in:

*Approximately 132,000 cannabis plants destroyed

*572 offenders arrested

*173 firearms seized

* Estimated $309,966 stolen property recovered

*80 kilograms of dried cannabis plant material seized / destroyed

*4 Methamphetamine Laboratories located and almost one kilogram of methamphetamine seized /destroyed.

*195 ecstasy tabs, 633 LSD tabs and 56 morphine sulphate tabs have also been destroyed.

Detective Inspector Craig Scott, the officer in charge of the operation, says this is a "whole of crime" operation primarily targeting those that cultivate and deal cannabis as the gateway drug to other criminal activities.

“Commercial cannabis cultivation cannot be looked at on its own, it has links to much wider crime,” said Mr Scott.

“This year Police placed a strong emphasis on seizing the assets gained from drug dealing and assets used to assist and enable the criminal activity.

As a result of this there is in excess of $4 million worth of assets currently under investigation or restraint following a court order.

This includes land, houses, cash and vehicles.”

173 firearms were also seized in Operation Dee which is the largest number seized since the 2011/2012 operation.

Mr Scott says the number of firearms found in possession of persons associated with drug dealing is a concern.

Especially considering a number were identified as being stolen and approximately 90 percent of the weapons weren’t secured correctly, with ammunition found nearby.

Operation Dee is an example of Police working across all districts in a coordinated approach to combat the illicit drug market.

Police estimates it has prevented in excess of $500 million of socio-economic harm from reaching the community by destroying these 132,000 cannabis plants.

The success of this operation reaffirms the commitment by Police to tackle the ongoing drug issues in our community.

“People in the community and family members are affected by this offending, we encourage people to contact addiction services where necessary, whether it be on behalf of themselves or a Whanau member,” says Mr Scott.

“We can’t solve this by ourselves, it comes down to a joint effort from Police and the community.”

Planning for next year’s operation has already begun.

Anyone with information about any form of criminal activity, including cannabis cultivation and drug dealing, is encouraged to contact their local police station or call anonymously through CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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