Millions in dope destroyed

Cannabis plants estimated to be worth several million dollars have been destroyed by Nelson police in their annual anti-drug operation.

Operation co-ordinator Sergeant John Hippolite said officers found about 5000 plants in the past week as they tore up plots from Murchison to Golden Bay.

Police discovered more than 100 plots, with some of the highest-quality and best-tended plants found near Nelson, in Belgrove and the Lud Valley.

One plot alone had more than 150 high-quality plants, he said. Police estimated a good-quality plant, about 1m tall, was worth at least $500. "I think people are still hell-bent on cultivating the stuff, and we are equally determined to interrupt their commercial interests."

"Five or six" people were now facing drug-related charges, Mr Hippolite said. Other arrests were pending.

Most of the plots were hard to get to, and officers were winched down from an Air Force Iroquois helicopter to recover plants.

"They were certainly scattered far and wide. The days of 500 to 1000 plants in a plot are long gone."

He said some growers now used global positioning systems to pinpoint small plots they had planted.

- NZPA