Waikato farmers urged to caution suspicious activity

Officers carrying some of the cannabis plants located in a recent aerial cannabis operation in Wanganui. Photo / Supplied

Farmers, hunters and landlords are being urged to look out for suspicious activity following a cannabis operation in Waikato.

Detective Sergeant Graham Pitkethley of the Waikato crime control unit said while outdoor cannabis cultivation primarily occurred over the summer months, more hunters were venturing into areas frequented by cannabis cultivators and they needed to be careful.

"Increasingly cannabis growers are taking steps to protect their investment and this may take the form of laying traps, cyanide or arming themselves," Mr Pitkethley said.

"Every year we receive reports of hunters being driven off their hunting blocks, farmers having commercial crops damaged, livestock disturbed and equipment stolen."

Anyone approached by those involved in drug growing should not confront them but instead advise police, he said.

Waikato police had destroyed more than 10,500 cannabis plants this growing season and more than 75 people had been charged with drugs offences.