CANNABIS GROWING INCREASING

Cannabis production, particularly hydroponically grown operations, is
increasing in Dunedin, with at least 17 people arrested for growing or
dealing in the drug so far this year.

Police this week recovered 8kg of dried cannabis leaf, estimated to have a
street value of at least $56,000. Three men have been arrested and face
charges of being in possession of cannabis for supply.

On this occasion, the drug was grown outside, with police alleging it had
been cultivated in bush and forestry areas around Middlemarch and Brighton.

According to Otago Daily Times' records at least 14 other people have
appeared in the Dunedin District Court this year charged with cultivating
cannabis or having cannabis for supply.

The majority have been involved with hydroponically grown operations.

All charges are indictable and punishable by significant prison sentences.

Detective Sergeant Malcolm Inglis, head of the Dunedin drug squad,
confirmed cannabis production had increased significantly in the city recently.

He said the development of hydroponic equipment appeared to have enticed
some people into the business, with the aim of making quick money.

By growing hydroponically, dealers had a "quick turn around", harvesting
plants within eight to 12 weeks. They could also control growing room
temperatures and produce "a stronger variety of cannabis".

When grown outside, only one or two cannabis crops could be produced each
year. The strength of the drug also varied, depending on conditions.

For an outlay of at least $4000, growers could establish a sizeable growing
operation.

"I guess they think there is money to made, provided they don't get found
out," Det Sgt Inglis said.

"What these people need to look at is the parameters; if they get convicted
it's definitely imprisonment."

Despite the large number of arrests this year, Det Sgt Inglis said the drug
squad had not specifically focused on cannabis production.

While the arrests this week were the result of a specific operation by
police, the remainder only came to light after information was provided, he
said.

Hydroponic equipment supply companies contacted yesterday said there had
been no noticeable rush of sales to Dunedin. One company said "if anything"
sales had dropped lately.

"I wondered if sales had dropped away in Dunedin because of the number of
arrests lately," one supplier said.

However, another supplier, who asked not to be identified, said he was
aware of some "reasonably large volumes of equipment" sales to Dunedin
customers.

While you could sometimes predict which customers were using the equipment
to produce cannabis, it was often those you least expected, he said.

"You get businessmen coming in making up some sort of excuse why they need
the equipment," he said.