Legal-high hunters in police sights

Police check pedestrians and drivers near the Adult Selections shop in Dickens St, Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

Napier police are increasing their focus on synthetic cannabis in the wake of an influx of buyers from Hastings and the arrest of a woman allegedly selling legal highs from her home.

Hastings' two legal-high retailers were closed this week due to an alleged breach of local council bylaws, as the Ministry of Health suspended their licences for 21 days and investigated the stockists.

Since the lockout Napier police have noticed an influx of people travelling to Adult Selections in Dickens St specifically for psychoactive substances.

Sergeant Nigel Hurley said synthetic cannabis had a high criminal customer base and police had reports of users arriving by bus and asking where Dickens St was.

"The neighbouring businesses of these synthetic cannabis retailers have had enough of the undesirable element hanging around on the street and in the area.

"Police support them and we have been targeting members of the criminal fraternity who make up a large portion of the synthetic cannabis market."

Yesterday police had observed about 65 people believed to be waiting outside Adult Selections for their fix. However, Mr Hurley added, with the Napier Police Station in nearby Station St a "watchful eye" was being cast over the store. When approached by Hawke's Bay Today Adult Selections refused to comment.

Mr Hurley said police were visiting Adult Selections whenever possible, as fears of a black market grew after a 49-year-old Hastings woman was arrested for allegedly selling from her Hastings house.

Police discovered large amounts of highs and cash at her home. She is due to appear in the Hastings District Court this week on charges of selling synthetic cannabis without a licence. The penalties for such a charge are three months' jail and a $40,000 fine.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton has "huge concerns" and said his heart went out to the retailers, feeling "intimidated", in the vicinity of the legal-high stockist.

He said the Napier City Council would explore all opportunities to rid Napier of the "detrimental effect" of legal highs.

Meanwhile, during police operations in Dickens St yesterday, police issued more than 40 tickets during a two-hour crackdown on driver licence breaches, registration and warrants of fitness, people wanted on warrants and people with outstanding fines.

A man was arrested over more than $40,000 owing in unpaid fines.