Police urge residents to be on drug watch

BUSTED: A police officer recovering cannabis during last year's recovery operation. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A haul of more than 200 cannabis plants from around Wairarapa has kicked off police drug busts dubbed Operation Lucy.

Detective Sergeant Barry Bysouth said the police cannabis recovery operation, which runs nationally, began last month and was aimed at hitting outdoor cannabis growing mostly in rural Wairarapa but also in urban areas.

Mr Bysouth said last week police discovered almost 70 cannabis plants in a town garden.

"If anyone has any concerns about neighbours, they might hear music in the garage all night, fans going and the windows blacked out... that's a good indicator that there is something worth investigating."

He said police were not asking only rural people to be on the lookout, having a message from those in town.

"This could be happening in a house next to you."

He said Operation Lucy will run until about April, and would involve members of the armed forces, a ground crew and an air crew, who will be spread throughout Wairarapa aimed at disrupting organised crime and bringing to justice those who profit from the cultivation and sale of cannabis.

"From a police point of view, we're focused on the disruption of organised crime and the cultivation, sale and supply of cannabis is right up there.

"While you are at work this summer and autumn these people will generally be at home, or at the beach, enjoying a lifestyle that some of us will work our whole lives to achieve."

Mr Bysouth said Wairarapa, because of the rural make up and climate, was a prime area for growers and growers often used land which would not be associated with them.

"They obviously do not want to be held accountable for their product and distance themselves from these activities as much as possible. This causes them to trespass on land belonging to innocent farmers or onto well established forestry blocks."

Mr Bysouth said a lookout should be kept for people or vehicles, in areas where their appearance is unusual, tyre markings in areas where they shouldn't be, misplaced water containers or tarpaulins and unusual temporary fencing.

Police ask that anyone who notices suspicious behaviour, or discovers a cannabis plot, contact the Masterton Police on 06) 370 0300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting Operation Lucy.

Last year, police recovered about 1800 plants in Wairarapa during the course of a cannabis operation.