Dope dealers weeded out
It has become increasingly rare for cannabis users to be prosecuted, but new police data shows officers have turned up the heat on drug suppliers.
A surge in court proceedings against growers and dealers was recorded as police expressed a more sympathetic approach to casual consumers.
Detective Inspector Craig Scott, of the National Criminal Investigation Group, said police were mindful of public aversion to prosecuting pot smokers.
‘‘Alternative resolutions have been adopted by the police, but they’re applied not only to cannabis, but to a range of offences. It’s not like we’re singling out cannabis.’’
Prosecutions for cannabis possession fell by nearly 10 per cent last year, but dealers and growers were not so fortunate.
Punitive approaches were not the only ones considered when officers decided how to treat arrested users. Police could use pre-charge warnings for minor offences, including possession.
An Independent Police Conduct Authority review last year found pre-charge warnings were applied for 38 per cent of ‘‘cannabis possession or use’’ offences.
‘‘In relation to possession of cannabis, we look at it from a health point of view,’’ Scott said.
‘‘If someone’s addicted . . . the priority is to get them support for their addiction.
‘‘It’s about more of a health and society-related response, rather than a black-and-white criminal perspective.’’
Alternatives to prosecution freed up more resources to target growers and ‘‘greedy’’ dealers, he said.
Data released under the Official Information Act shows prosecutions for cannabis use surged in May and June each year. Scott said this was linked to greater weed availability after the summer outdoor growing season.
‘‘It takes a number of months to mature, which obviously coincides with the increase of charges.’’
Violence was still a major part of the industry, with organised criminal gangs responsible for the bulk of cannabis distribution.
‘‘It’s difficult for people to deal commercial quantities without some sort of gang protection. Otherwise you’re subject to rip-offs and standovers.’’
Independent drug dealers were often the target of robberies, including violent aggravated ones.
Scott acknowledged some gangs or cannabis dealers were opposed to harder drugs such as methamphetamine, or at least ‘‘purportedly’’ opposed to them.
But he said one police operation targeting dope dealers last year found 30-40 per cent of them were also trading in harder drugs such as meth.
New Zealand’s cannabis was overwhelmingly homegrown, with less than 20 prosecutions annually for importing or exporting.
The Drug Foundation has previously said cannabis was the most widely used illicit drug in New Zealand, and 42 per cent of all Kiwis older than 15 had tried it.