Auckland's weather across Labour Weekend may have been good news for the regions gardeners, but it's not just law-abiding citizens with green fingers - and Police are asking members of the public to watch out for suspicious activity in the next few months.
It's the time of year when criminals plant new cannabis crops. Detective Sergeant Callum McNeill, Auckland's Coordinator of the National Cannabis & Crime Operation says cannabis crops lead to other crime such as burglaries, especially in rural areas.
"Criminals growing cannabis have previously trespassed on private land, destroyed farm crops, intimidated people using regional parks, damaged locks on gates and stolen items such as farm bikes and fencing equipment" says Det Sgt McNeill.
"The way criminals grow cannabis crops is no different to how fruit and vegetables are grown - seedlings are planted in spaces where there's sunlight, plants are regularly watered and fertilized, and pests are kept away from the crops by netting and fencing - to do this the criminals need to keep checking on their crops, returning to the location, often carrying equipment with them."
Police urge anyone who notices the following activity to report it;
-Discarded gardening packaging in unusual locations
-People carrying gardening equipment in the bush
-Unexplained lights in the bush or farmland at night
-Unknown vehicles using and parking on private forestry or farmland roads
-An unusual, distinctive smell coming from a property or an area of bush or forest.
"We're interested in identifying every possible cannabis location, as well as the movements of anyone acting suspiciously, and we need the community to play their part and help us" says Det Sgt McNeill.
Deerstalkers, pig-hunters, trampers, people taking part in outdoor recreation pursuits, and those who work in the rural industry are urged to assist Police by keeping an eye out for suspicious behaviour.
"The supply and abuse of cannabis directly influences other types of crime such as burglaries, robberies, serious violence and intimidation. During the last 3 years the Police eradication of outdoor grown cannabis plants throughout New Zealand has equated to $863 million dollars in social harm prevented."
Anyone who can help is asked to call their local Police station, information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Beth Bates/Waitemata Police
0274 752 518
