Successful national cannabis operation nets record plants

Good flying weather and targeted flying using intelligence gathered throughout the year netted excellent results for Operation Julia, the 2007/2008 National Cannabis Crime Operation (NCCO).

The total number of cannabis plants destroyed increased by nearly 25 percent from 2006/2007 and also exceeded the results achieved in each of the last five years.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott McGill, National Coordinator: National Cannabis Crime Operations, PNHQ, says the operation targets commercial cultivators and distributors of cannabis and invariably results in the apprehension of offenders involved in organised criminal activity.

Operation Julia, carried out during the 2007 – 2008 growing season, resulted in:

• approximately 124,000 plants destroyed;
• 780 offenders arrested;
• 147 firearms seized;
• an estimated $439,000 of stolen property recovered;
• 216 kilograms of dried cannabis plant material seized/destroyed; and
• 9 methamphetamine laboratories located.
  

During the operation over 640 searches were conducted, which led to a record number of arrests, firearms seized and stolen property recovered.

“This shows that the National Cannabis Crime Operation is a ‘whole of crime’ operation targeting those who cultivate, distribute and use cannabis as the gateway drug to other criminal activities,” Scott says.

Based on the recently developed New Zealand Drug Harm Index the total socio economic harm to the community saved by police from the destroyed cannabis plants is estimated at $333,598,050 (based on a conservative yield of 8oz of cannabis per plant).

When added together with the dried cannabis plant seized or destroyed (216 kilograms), this means that the National Cannabis and Crime Operation has avoided $336,144,690 of socio economic harm to New Zealand communities.
Scott says the results show the commitment and dedication that police staff around the country have to reducing the harmful effects of illicit drugs.

Planning for next year's operation has begun. “Police intend to continue their efforts to reduce the availability of cannabis and associated drugs within New Zealand, to make communities safer,” says Scott.

Photos of cannabis taken during Operation Julia, at Waihou Bay, north of Opotiki on the East coast. Photos: Detective Senior Sergeant Scott McGill, PNHQ