KEY POINTS:
Bay of Plenty rural residents have been asked to contact police if they see any signs of cultivation of cannabis crops in the area over the summer months.
Police have mailed 3000 fliers to properties in Kaharoa, Reporoa, Rerewhakaaitu, Waikite Valley and Mamaku.
Cannabis is usually planted before Christmas and during January growers tend to their crops which means there can be an increase in "undesirables" in rural areas, Detective Karin Isaacson told the Rotorua Post.
Although the rate of cannabis-related convictions had dropped in Rotorua over the past 10 years, police were still keen to put drug growers behind bars, she said.
By proactively chasing growers, other criminals, involved in burglaries or receiving stolen property, could also be caught.
"This is when we get a lot of suspicious vehicles. They burgle farmers, they steal petrol, stakes and motorbikes," Ms Isaacson said.
"Farmers might see and hear things and don't know who to report it to and how to do it."
Statistics New Zealand figures show conviction rates for cannabis dealers are less than a third of what they were 10 years ago.
- NZPA
