NORTH TOPS DOPE TALLY AGAIN

More than twice as many cannabis plants were seized in Northland in
2005-06 than in the next biggest dope-growing areas, Bay of Plenty
and East Cape/Hawke's Bay.

Northland remains the cannabis capital of New Zealand, more than a
third of all dope plants uncovered in a nationwide police operation
coming from the region.

In total 41,403 cannabis plants were destroyed in Northland during
the 2005-06 growing season - more than twice the number found in the
Bay of Plenty which, with 18,961 plants, was second-highest in the country.

The operation in Northland also netted:

. $20,000 worth of stolen property. . 12 firearms. . 42 arrests. .
Two-and-half kilograms of dried cannabis. . Four methamphetamine laboratories.

The number of plants recovered in Northland was down 7197 on last
year, but up 1303 on the previous year.

Acting Northland Police Crime Manager Senior Sergeant Mike Pannett
said cannabis cultivation and distribution remained a "significant
issue" for Northland police. Police would keep targeting people who
derived income and lifestyle from the illegal drug trade, he said.

"Organised crime activity, of which cannabis growers and dealers are
part, will continue to be a priority area of attention for Northland
police," he said.

National cannabis crime operations co-ordinator Detective Senior
Sergeant Scott McGill said the high number of cannabis crops detected
in Northland was a result of "great growing conditions" in the region
and efforts of local police. "It's been one of the top growing areas
for as far back as we keep stats and a lot of it has to do with the
climate conditions and the low-density population - there's a lot of
rural land out there where people can hide their plants," he said.

He would not comment on the value of the plants seized because their
size and yield varied, but in the past police have put the street
value of a mature plant at $1000.

Nationally 118,000 plants were destroyed, 500 culprits arrested, 54
firearms seized, an estimated $100,000 worth of property recovered,
77kg of dried cannabis recovered and nine P labs located.

The number of plants seized nationally was up about 10,000 on last
year, and the number of P laboratories from five to nine.

Planning for next year's operation had begun, Mr McGill said. "Police
intend to continue efforts to reduce the availability of cannabis and
associated drugs in New Zealand, resulting in safer communities," he said.

Police urge anyone who knows of drug activity to call 0800 BAN DRUGS
(0800 226 37847).