RECORD ARRESTS - CANNABIS, METHAMPHETAMINE, STOLEN GUNS

Record numbers of people have been arrested and cannabis plants
destroyed in the latest blitz on Northland's multi-million-dollar drug
trade.

Some 67,508 cannabis plants were ripped out or doused with blue
herbicide spray by police during the annual recovery operation -
22,000 more plants than those found in last season's cannabis operation.

The 245 people arrested during the month-long operation are facing
serious charges, including manufacturing methamphetamine and supplying
methamphetamine. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life
imprisonment.

During the operation, eight tinnie houses were raided and 90 firearms,
including four loaded pistols, recovered.

Stolen quad bikes, vehicles, jewellery, tools and electronic equipment
were among the $90,200 worth of stolen property found.

Twenty-four indoor growing operations were pulled apart. One
methamphetamine lab was found near Kaitaia with scientists called in
to dismantle the toxic set-up.

The largest cannabis plot was found near Kaikohe where 1000 plants
were scattered through gorse and scrub. Another home was dedicated to
growing about 600 plants with even the empty swimming pool being put
to use.

Police have credited more resources, good preparation by officers and
public help as factors in the record haul.

The head of Northland's organised crime unit, Detective Sergeant John
Miller, said the bigger crops were commercial operations, mostly run
by gangs.

"The gangs are running the big commercial grows because they are the
ones running the tinnie houses," he said. "Most of the tinnie houses
are selling point bags of meth. Cannabis and meth come hand in hand
now and there is a real link between drugs, stolen property, firearms
and gangs."

The public had, this season more than before, utilised a free-phone
number set up by the police to deal with tip-offs. "People have had
enough of drugs in their neighbourhood and they are keen to help us
get rid of it."

Mr Miller said police were putting more resources into investigating
organised crimes, gangs and drugs.

It was likely most of the cannabis produced in Northland was destined
for Auckland.

He said growers were not planting the tall, tree-like varieties but
instead were cloning plants that were smaller and bushier and planting
them outside using the natural scrub as camouflage.

While police have made a significant dent in the drug trade, they are
vowing to continue the tough line.

It was difficult to measure the impact the operation had had but there
had been positive feedback from communities, Mr Miller said. "We hear
from the rural communities that if we hammer an area then it does make
a difference. The drugs don't get to the kids and it doesn't get into
the schools."

The growing and harvesting season has not finished in Northland and
police expect plenty of activity in rural areas as growers dry their
crops in the bush or haul them out over the next month.

Mr Miller said any information left on the tip-off line would be
confidential and there would be no come back on the caller.

. The police hotline to report suspicious drug-related activity is
0800 BAN DRUGS.

* THE NUMBERS:

. 245 people arrested

. 67,508 cannabis plants destroyed

. 90 firearms recovered

. 24 indoor growing operations

. 1 P lab

. 8 tinnie houses

. 54 grams of P

. $90,200 worth of stolen property