Suspicious things to look for

Press, 29 January 1982, Page 13

Suspicious things to look for

The drug squad relies heavily on the public for help in discovering illicit cannabis plots, and with the main harvest season approaching, the police are hoping this relationship can be strengthened.

Detective Senior Sergeant M. J. Muddiman, head of the Christchurch drug squad, says that because most of the large plots are located “off the beaten track” the assistance of the public is required to find them. “People out on a picnic at the beach, river or a forest could come into contact with a cannabis plot, especially in places adjacent to a water supply. “Helicopter and fixed-wing pilots, road and forestry workers, farmers, shooters,

fishermen, four-wheel drive and jet boat clubs and trail bike riders can help the police detect the illegal groves,” he said. Mr Muddiman says the suspicious things to look for are boats parked in strange places, cars and Land Rovers in areas where it is difficult to gain access, frequent and unusual visitors to remote areas and persons seen in the vicinity of vacant houses, especially in country areas. Houses with the windows blacked out or covered in black polythene should also be notified to the police. Marijuana is bright green and usually stands out from the neighbouring vegetation because of its distinctive colour and also the unusual contours of the leaves which

have serrated edges like the teeth on a saw. Mr Muddiman said there are several things people should do if they think they have discovered cannabis plants. • Inform the local police or the Christchurch drug squad. • If possible take a leaf from the plant to the police for identification. • Record the number plate of any car' in the vicinity. • Note the description of anyone seen in the area. • .Draw a rough map of the area to help relocate the plants. (There were a couple of occasions last year when the informant could not lead the.police back to the plot.)