Police left with drug raid overdose
By MARK BUTTLER
27 Aug 2003
POLICE were ordered not to raid big drug crops because of a shortage of storage space.
Officers at Sunshine in Melbourne's west were told they should not execute warrants on large hydroponic marijuana set-ups in their area.
An order sent to 55 officers at the station stated the order would apply until further notice.
"At present the property office is so full we are unable to store any more," the memo states.
The police force last night said after the ban was revealed that the order was no longer valid.
But Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said the situation was nonsensical and should be of great concern.
"It's a really good example of how under-funded and under-resourced Victoria Police is," Sen-Sgt Mullett said. "This should not occur."
Opposition police spokesman Kim Wells said it was bizarre that criminals could be given even a few days' grace. "It is absolutely critical that as soon as police locate illegal drug manufacturing that it is shut down because the equipment can be moved in hours," Mr Wells said.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the order lasted just two or three days.
She said the ban followed a drug crackdown filling the station's property office with seized drugs and equipment.
"There was no effect on any drug operations," the spokeswoman said.
A spokesman for Police Minister Andre Haermeyer said he had been assured the ban order would not happen again.
