Asia-Pacific News
Australians urged to dial-in a druggie
Jan 13, 2008, 4:52 GMT
Sydney - With cannabis now said to be the biggest cash crop on Australia's east coast, Queensland police Sunday launched a 'dial-in a druggie' campaign that enlists the help of the public to catch growers.
Police Detective Inspector Mick Niland said cannabis growers were becoming more sophisticated and illicit laboratories harder to spot.
'Hydroponic cannabis crops are often cultivated in suburban houses while neighbours remain unaware of the criminal activity that exists next door,' Niland told Australia's AAP news agency when giving out the number of a special hotline.
'Houses are often rented and then entirely gutted, and the electricity supply is rewired,and fans and generators are installed to produce the drug before the house is eventually abandoned.'
He said some growers set up secret enclaves in massive rural properties while others rented plots of land from farmers prepared to turn a blind eye in return for a share in the lucrative industry.
© 2008 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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