poledriver
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Police reveal hippie communes are using proceeds from plantations to fund their lifestyle
A MONSTER 4m high marijuana plant was among thousands being grown by hippy communes in the state's national parks to fund their lifestyles.
Drug squad officers have found a large number of crops next to communes dotted around the nsw north coast.
Small plantations of 100 plants can make the growers up to $250,000 dollars - more than enough to sustain them.
"Many of the crops are found next to what we call MO's or multiple occupancy dwellings or properties which are old fashion communes," NSW drug squad boss detective superintendent nick Bingham said.
"It's not a coincidence. A mature plant is worth about $2500."
The 4m plant, worth more than $5000, was found in a clearing near Uki in the Tweed region, not far from Nimbin.
Every year the drug squad embark on search and destroy missions throughout the state.
"The aim of the eradication program is more about disrupting and denying drug dealers income," said detective Bingham
"Many cannabis plantations are used to fund other criminal activities such as drug importations."
The drug squad began the first operation of the year in the tweed area near the NSW Queensland border.
Aerial surveillance and local intelligence reports are used to spot plantations.
"The days of major plantations are pretty much over," said Detective Bingham.
"Crooks realise they are easier to spot from the air and, when detected, losses from theft are significant so they have multiple crops all over the place hoping that some will go undetected."
He said it was not just locals involved trying to have a little cash on the side.
"Bikie gangs and organised crime syndicates are heavily involved. Cannabis is still the most widely used illegal drug in the country.
"By disrupting the supply the price is pushed ap and hopefully reduces affordability and usage of the drug and denies cash to criminals.
With user comments -
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...-their-lifestyle/story-fni0cx12-1226818004234
A MONSTER 4m high marijuana plant was among thousands being grown by hippy communes in the state's national parks to fund their lifestyles.
Drug squad officers have found a large number of crops next to communes dotted around the nsw north coast.
Small plantations of 100 plants can make the growers up to $250,000 dollars - more than enough to sustain them.
"Many of the crops are found next to what we call MO's or multiple occupancy dwellings or properties which are old fashion communes," NSW drug squad boss detective superintendent nick Bingham said.
"It's not a coincidence. A mature plant is worth about $2500."
The 4m plant, worth more than $5000, was found in a clearing near Uki in the Tweed region, not far from Nimbin.
Every year the drug squad embark on search and destroy missions throughout the state.
"The aim of the eradication program is more about disrupting and denying drug dealers income," said detective Bingham
"Many cannabis plantations are used to fund other criminal activities such as drug importations."
The drug squad began the first operation of the year in the tweed area near the NSW Queensland border.
Aerial surveillance and local intelligence reports are used to spot plantations.
"The days of major plantations are pretty much over," said Detective Bingham.
"Crooks realise they are easier to spot from the air and, when detected, losses from theft are significant so they have multiple crops all over the place hoping that some will go undetected."
He said it was not just locals involved trying to have a little cash on the side.
"Bikie gangs and organised crime syndicates are heavily involved. Cannabis is still the most widely used illegal drug in the country.
"By disrupting the supply the price is pushed ap and hopefully reduces affordability and usage of the drug and denies cash to criminals.
With user comments -
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...-their-lifestyle/story-fni0cx12-1226818004234
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