Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jun 2007
Source: Belfast Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/42
Author: Deborah McAleese
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

POLICE TAKE TO THE SKY TO UNCOVER CANNABIS FACTORIES

Ulster's increasing drug trade in home-grown cannabis is being foiled 
from the sky by police.

The PSNI's hi-tech helicopter is being successfully used to spot 
cannabis factories, according to Assistant Chief Constable Duncan 
McCausland, reducing production of the drug and preventing it from 
hitting the streets.

The chief has also warned that more cannabis plants are being grown 
by unscrupulous drug dealers in the province because of difficulties 
importing the drug into Northern Ireland.

He has revealed that, over the past 12 months, three cannabis 
factories have been discovered in the greater Belfast area by the 
helicopter's heat-seeking device.

He told how the helicopter was recently being used over the Lisburn 
area to assist in a missing person search when the device picked up a 
cannabis factory.

"If the helicopter is up and about it can very quickly locate large 
heat areas, like a cannabis factory which uses heat lamps. If people 
want to grow cannabis, then they should beware," Mr McCausland told 
members of Belfast DPPthis week.

According to Mr McCausland, cannabis causes the biggest concern for 
police, followed by amphetamines and cocaine.

He said the value of cannabis is higher in Northern Ireland than in 
cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh because of difficulties smuggling 
it in, thanks to major police operations.

Late last year, the PSNI made its largest seizure of cannabis to 
date. Three-and-a-half tons of the drug worth UKP18m were found in 
the back of a lorry-load of wooden doors in a warehouse on the Quarry 
Heights Industrial Estate in Newtownards.

"We have made significant inroads into this particular activity and 
have also been successful in disrupting cannabis factories growing 
plants. We will continue to focus on this area. We also ask the 
community that, if you see people growing strange plants in their 
home, let us know."

The number of people arrested for drug offences in Ulster continues 
to rise, indicating a rise in drug use. In Belfast alone, drug 
offence arrests leapt by 50% over the past year from 331 to 506. The 
number of people charged has risen by 24% from 304 to 378.

"There has been an increase in drug use, particularly use in a social 
setting. It is something we are going to have to watch. If we have 
detected more drugs, then use is increasing, particularly cannabis," he said.

Mr McCausland said the increase can be attributed to its 
declassification to class C.

A trend across England, Scotland and Wales has seen people turn their 
homes into cannabis factories, where cannabis is grown in almost 
every room in the house. It is believed to be catching on in Northern Ireland.

Head of the PSNI's Crime Operations, Assistant Chief Constable Peter 
Sheridan, has also warned of the rise of cocaine.

"Cannabis is rising in terms of home-grown cannabis but cocaine is 
also on the rise," he said.

There are serious medical concerns over cannabis use. Research 
suggests its use can trigger symptoms of psychosis which may continue 
even after the drug use is stopped.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman