POLICE URGE PUBLIC: DOB IN THOSE DOPE GROWERS

Northland's hot dry weather is seen as a blessing by most, but the
region's dope growers see it as a curse that increases their chances
of being caught as they water their illicit cash crops.

Detective Sergeant John Miller, of the Northland police organised
crime unit, said that, as there had been little rain since Christmas,
dope growers would be feeling the heat as their crops would need
frequent watering.

With increased watering came a greater chance of the growers being
caught, but police needed the public's help, Mr Miller said.

Northland's status as the country's cannabis capital was confirmed
last season, providing more than a third of all marijuana recovered
nationally.

Nationwide, police teams ripped out or sprayed with blue-tinted
weedkiller 124,000 cannabis plants nationally during the 2007- 2008
season, 25 per cent more than the previous season.

In Northland, police found 45,370 plants, almost 37 per cent of the
total.

Just before Christmas police busted a large indoor operation near
Rawene and Mr Miller said outdoor cannabis plants would be in serious
need of watering to keep them growing.

"The growers will be out there watering their plants every day or two
and they will be particularly active in rural areas and the bush," he
said.

"Anybody who sees people going into the bush with water containers, or
if they see any suspicious activity or vehicles parked in areas they
shouldn't be can contact us in confidence."

Mr Miller said many growers planted their crops not too far off the
road so they could park up and water their plants relatively easily.
This meant the more they stopped the more likely they were to be seen.

"The growers will be out in force now watering their plants. And while
we will be out in force catching them until the season ends in March
or April, we also need the public's help to catch them," he said.

Mr Miller said some people didn't pass on information for fear of
retribution from drug growers, but the police 0800 BAN DRUGS line
treated calls in confidence.

Tell-tale signs of indoor cannabis growing included pungent smells
from houses or sheds, blanked-out windows and unusual house lights
coming on at odd hours.

Farmers should also call the drugs hotline if electric fences, solar
panels or other equipment that could be used for drug growing went
missing.

Mr Miller said gangs played a big part in keeping the drug trade going
as the profits were huge, particularly from "tinnie houses".

One pound (453.5 grams) of cannabis sells on the streets for $3200 to
$3500, with high quality stuff going for up to $5000 a pound. An ounce
(28.3g) sells for $250 to $350 depending on quality and time of year
while a "tinnie" (tin foil wrap, enough for two or three joints) costs
$20 to $30.