'MAJOR SUPPLIER' CAUGHT IN NELSON

NELSON -- Police say they have caught a "major" cannabis supplier after
swooping on four Nelson schools.

Police with a sniffer dog searched Nelson College, Nelson College for Girls,
Waimea College, and Motueka High School on Friday after principals expressed
concern at the effects of cannabis on students.

Three students aged 14 to 16 found with cannabis at Motueka High School,
54km north-west of Nelson, were referred to the Nelson police youth section.
Nelson College spoke to one of its boarders after cannabis traces were found
in a locker.

Inspector Jim Wilson, of the Nelson police, said a "major" supplier was
caught in one of the schools. The pupil was found to have a "substantial"
number of foils and bullets (enough for three joints). A private address had
been searched after the raids, Mr Wilson said.