NIMBIN POLICE ON ALERT AFTER RAID SPARKS RIOT

POLICE in the NSW north coast town of Nimbin, near Lismore, are on alert
today after a riot involving more than 500 people late yesterday.

The incident was sparked when police raided the Hemp Party headquarters,
arrested a man and seized a small amount of cash and cannabis.

A police spokesman confirmed about 28 police were involved in the covert
operation just after midday.

Two hours after the search began, police emerged with a man in custody
after seizing about 100g of cannabis.

By that time a large crowd of bystanders had gathered. They loudly
criticised what some described as "excessive police action" to arrest one man.

The crowd chanted "go back to Manly" and tried to hinder the police.

When police attempted to drive away from the scene, people clung to the
vehicles and threw themselves in front of them.

The Hemp Party's NSW senate candidate, Michael Balderstone, said the crowd
then filled the streets and pursued the police to the local station.

"People are furious in town because we have had a lot of trouble with other
more dangerous drugs and police haven't wanted to know about it," Mr
Balderstone said. "Eighty per cent of drug arrests are for cannabis and
mostly it's for personal use, wasting massive police time and resources."

Police and members of the Hemp Party said there had been a lot of tension
in the town recently.

Local activist Dave Cannabis, 44, was arrested and charged with supply,
possession and goods in custody and was bailed to appear in Lismore Local
Court on November 19.