Police ditch aerial cannabis operations
WELLINGTON: Police have axed their annual cannabis operations, which result in thousands of plants being pulled from isolated locations around the country.
The New Zealand Defence Force has worked with police for decades, giving them the opportunity to spot plantations from the skies.
A police spokesman said yesterday the increased harm in many communities arising from other drugs, particularly methamphetamine, meant ‘‘a onesizefitsall annual aerial national cannabis operation no longer represents the most appropriate deployment of police resources’’.
However, the decision appeared to come as a surprise to many officers, and even Police Minister Poto Williams, who were all unaware of the change, according to Stuff.
Ms Williams was unaware of the change.
‘‘While this is an operational matter, I have asked for a full briefing as to the rationale behind this decision,’’ she told Stuff.
In a statement, the police spokesman said the change did not mean police would give up targeting the production and supply of cannabis.
‘‘The illicit supply of cannabis remains a focus for police, and funding is still available to districts that wish to prioritise the use of tactical support for the detection of cannabis plantations.
‘‘The decision to spread resources throughout the year, and increase surveillance focus on the drugs causing the greatest harm in the community, does not mean that police across the country will not investigate and prosecute people engaged in the commercial cultivation of cannabis.’’
Police had a wide range of tactical options targeting the production, manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs, the spokesman said. ‘‘These tactics include intelligence gathering through a variety of methods including aerial searches, using informant information, general policing and public tipoffs.
‘‘Districts make these operational decisions based on the requirements specific to each area, working with the National Organised Crime Group throughout the year to target the manufacturers and distributors of methamphetamine, synthetics and cannabis as these drugs are all known drivers of crime and revenue streams for organised crime groups.’’
However, the decision drew praise from the New Zealand Drug Foundation, executive director Sarah Helm telling Stuff police had taken a ‘‘pure supply control’’ approach to cannabis for many decades and had ‘‘demonstrably failed’’.
‘‘While we pour resources into cannabis, methamphetamine is wreaking havoc on communities.
‘‘We hope this changed approach represents a shift in police prioritisation.’’