HELP, MY DOPE'S BEEN NICKED, POLICE TOLD

A stunned police officer listened in disbelief as a distraught Napier
woman called to request police help in investigating a burglary.

The 45-year-old woman rang police yesterday morning to report the
overnight theft of three cannabis plants she had been growing at her home.

The woman became so upset during the call she broke down in tears.

Senior Sergeant Mal Lochrie said the police communications officer
who took the call found it difficult to stop smiling as the women
gave details of the theft over the phone.

"I have had three marijuana plants stolen. They were in buckets," the
woman told the officer.

She also bemoaned the fact it was the fourth year in a row someone
had sneaked on to her Ahuriri property at night to steal cannabis
plants from her shed.

"I am a good person. I am sick of these low-lifes stealing my
things," she told the communications officer.

A community constable visited the woman at her home to take details
of the burglary and warned her of the possible legal consequences of
her continuing her green-thumbed gardening habits.