CANNABIS GROWERS MOVE INDOORS

The increasing demand for hydroponically grown cannabis has led to a
power shift from rural-based growers to city-based organised crime
outfits, according to the National Drugs Intelligence Bureau.

Hydroponic cannabis was "killing the outdoor market" because it gave
users a better product for their money, Detective Sergeant Tony Quayle
said.

The higher quality and easy-to-protect hydroponic crop was apparently
crippling the Northland cannabis scene.

Hydroponic crops were not affected by weather and could be harvested
four times a year instead of once or twice for outdoor crops, Mr
Quayle said.

A police survey last year revealed that of the 337 organised crime
groups in New Zealand, 213 were involved in drug sales and 169 were
involved in drug cultivation. Many were gang chapters.

There were 21 groups in Wellington, including chapters of the Mongrel
Mob, Black Power, Highway 61 and Satans Slaves, all of which were
"more than likely involved in the hydroponic market", Mr Quayle said.

The city experienced an increased crime rate as a result of the
trade.

Revenge, debt-collection and intimidation were common between rival
growers, and though an estimated 20 per cent of New Zealand's
homicides were drug related, most involved cannabis.

Most cannabis in Wellington still came from Northland, Tasman Bay, and
Wairarapa, with hydroponics making up less than 50 per cent of the
market.

This figure was thought to be growing, but the secretive nature of
growers made it difficult to know for sure, he said.

"They are really sophisticated operations. A case in Wellington
recently involved a false dug-out beneath a house with trapdoor access
hidden in a wardrobe."

Some outdoors growers were turning to hydroponics, Mr Quayle said,
citing a case on the West Coast where barns had been purpose-built to
cultivate cannabis.

The initial setup costs, however, tended to deter people from turning
to hydroponics.

People had spent up to $50,000 on commercial setups, according to Mike
Quinlan, owner of Switched on Gardener, the biggest hydroponic
equipment supplier in New Zealand.

Electricity charges could be as high as $330 a month. An average
residential house setup would cost about $2000 to set up plus $90 a
month in electricity, Mr Quinlan said.

Mr Quayle said the Wellington region had on average one hydroponics
bust a month.

"A lot of tip-offs come from neighbours seeing lights on at strange
times of the night, or windows blacked out," he said.