8 July 2015

$6 million worth of cannabis plants seized in Canberra since June

| Canfan
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ACT Policing Criminal Investigation officers working as part of Operation Armscote have seized 912 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of over $6 million dollars.

Operation Armscote commenced on 12 June 2015 when a grow house was located in Kaleen. Information obtained during the execution of a search warrant at the house uncovered the addresses of further houses across the ACT.

Officers attended these houses, located in Calwell, Downer, Harrison, Kaleen, MacGregor, Nicholls, Weetangara and found extensive hydroponic set-ups and cannabis plants at each location. Police attended another house in Calwell which was in the process of having a hydropic set-up installed.

During the operation, six people have been arrested and put before the ACT Magistrates Court on drug charges. Those court matters are ongoing.

Detective Sergeant Richard Gough from ACT Policing Criminal Investigations said that Operation Armscote has been successful and put a dent in organised crime enterprises in the ACT.

“Given the scale of the operation we believe that organised crime definitely played a large part in the establishment of these grow houses.

“Operation Armscote is ongoing and we suspect that there are other houses out there being used for illegal purposes. We would encourage the community to provide information about such places,” Detective Sergeant Gough said.

Police are urging anyone who may have information about grow houses or if they know the location of a suspected grow house to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via www.act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

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Tooks said :

Would you start smoking cannabis if it was legalised? I wouldn’t and I don’t know anyone who would. I don’t like the drug, I don’t think it is safe and I’m dubious about its medicinal properties when compared to pharmaceuticals, but here’s the thing: it is just as – if not more easily – available now as it was when I was a kid and the prices are the same. This massive bust will have no impact on the availability of cannabis in Canberra. Not bagging the cops in this, sounds like they’ve done a good job, but what are we really achieving in the long run?

Yes. I would continue to, and I would prescribe tinctures, or other extracts for my patients if it were appropriate and clinically indicated. (I was until recently a registered medical practioner)

I would support research, and a legitimate ganja industry producing pharamceutical exports and knowledge exports and employing many people in growing/science/medicine etc

I assume you don’t believe in climate change, or are still skeptical about evolution and the whole earth going round the sun hypothesis. Silly scientists, always trying to fight common sense.

dungfungus said :

Tooks said :

Narcobear said :

“$6 MILLION” in 6 weeks, wow sounds like a lot huh?

have a look here… http://www.priceofweed.com/prices/Australia/Australian-Capital-Territory.html

if we are talking street prices – then we are talking about over HALF A TON of smokable cannabis flower being grown hydroponically each month in our city, ($200-300/ounce=28g)

if we are talking wholesale, then the profit margin for the grower/distributor per month is over $4 million dollars

In legalised jurisdictions overseas, that money is channeled into legitimate businesses and jobs, health services etc not ‘ndranghetta coffers or vietnamese triad/leb gang pockets.

Please, continue the non evidence based war on cannabis because you choose to ignore the scientific and medical arguments for widespread legalisation and use of cannabis as a recreational social, and medical pharmaceutical substance.

If it is legalised, grow houses will still be illegal just like home grown tobacco is. The “let’s legalise and tax it” argument is poorly thought out. If it is legalised it must, in my opinion, be a free for all, meaning anyone can grow it in what amounts they like.

Criminal syndicates like the one responsible for these houses will probably move onto different ventures, like clan labs, then we can work out how to deal with that when it happens.

Just what we need, a nation of potheads.

Would you start smoking cannabis if it was legalised? I wouldn’t and I don’t know anyone who would. I don’t like the drug, I don’t think it is safe and I’m dubious about its medicinal properties when compared to pharmaceuticals, but here’s the thing: it is just as – if not more easily – available now as it was when I was a kid and the prices are the same. This massive bust will have no impact on the availability of cannabis in Canberra. Not bagging the cops in this, sounds like they’ve done a good job, but what are we really achieving in the long run?

Evilomlap said :

Socially, it’s nowhere near as damaging as something like ice, but it is a drug nonetheless and should be treated with the appropriate respect. I have heard anecdotally that people suffering from debilitating conditions like MS, AIDS, and cancer have found using THC beneficial for pain relief, nausea etc, but I can’t comment on this. If it works for them, I’m all for having it legalised and regulated/taxed etc like all other legal medicines.

You also ignore alcohol, which is a far bigger problem than ice and weed combined. But since you touch on medical marijuana, I care for somebody who is prescribed some serious analgesics for chronic pain management. An alternative for her ‘might’ be medical marijuana which has far less serious side effects than her legally prescribed narcotics – with only the side effect of the giggles and/or the munchies. Vaporisers take care of smoke related concerns. Marijuana oil as a less psychoactive alternative (popular choice for administering to children). Long term narcotics use is very bad for your body – far worse than weed. And it does work.

But lets not lose sight of the fact that the guys that got busted are not pharmacists or growing for their own use. Nor are they political prisoners of any kind. They were naughty, they knew it, and they got busted. Job well done.

Tooks said :

Narcobear said :

“$6 MILLION” in 6 weeks, wow sounds like a lot huh?

have a look here… http://www.priceofweed.com/prices/Australia/Australian-Capital-Territory.html

if we are talking street prices – then we are talking about over HALF A TON of smokable cannabis flower being grown hydroponically each month in our city, ($200-300/ounce=28g)

if we are talking wholesale, then the profit margin for the grower/distributor per month is over $4 million dollars

In legalised jurisdictions overseas, that money is channeled into legitimate businesses and jobs, health services etc not ‘ndranghetta coffers or vietnamese triad/leb gang pockets.

Please, continue the non evidence based war on cannabis because you choose to ignore the scientific and medical arguments for widespread legalisation and use of cannabis as a recreational social, and medical pharmaceutical substance.

If it is legalised, grow houses will still be illegal just like home grown tobacco is. The “let’s legalise and tax it” argument is poorly thought out. If it is legalised it must, in my opinion, be a free for all, meaning anyone can grow it in what amounts they like.

Criminal syndicates like the one responsible for these houses will probably move onto different ventures, like clan labs, then we can work out how to deal with that when it happens.

Just what we need, a nation of potheads.

Ganja is now recognised by medical scientists and clinicians as a medical/pharmaceutical substance, but through time and across many cultures, it has been a culinary herb with no known toxic dose to man, and many medical/social/religious applications

it is also a natural plant that grows like mint, oregano or parsley in your garden. it cannot be prohibted.

I prohibit dogs sh*tting in public!
I prohibit the birdsong at dawn!

Well done…

Ignore the reality, that website shows dozens of people purchasing weed of black market sources, then posting about prices and quality on a public site to help other cannabis users gauge the market.

‘stoners’ are a considerate bunch and will give you free bud if they know you are on hard times, ‘time without money are easier than times without mary.

most conservatives posting here are, well lets see them share a bowl with a down and out friend…

it didn’t stop bill gates or obama from being successful, but society stops plenty of casual cannabis consumers from participating fully in life with its draconian and anachronistic legislation and criminal enforcement.

Decriminilisation is a fallacy, why bother at all?
TOmatoe, tomatoe, potatoe,

Narcobear said :

“$6 MILLION” in 6 weeks, wow sounds like a lot huh?

have a look here… http://www.priceofweed.com/prices/Australia/Australian-Capital-Territory.html

if we are talking street prices – then we are talking about over HALF A TON of smokable cannabis flower being grown hydroponically each month in our city, ($200-300/ounce=28g)

if we are talking wholesale, then the profit margin for the grower/distributor per month is over $4 million dollars

In legalised jurisdictions overseas, that money is channeled into legitimate businesses and jobs, health services etc not ‘ndranghetta coffers or vietnamese triad/leb gang pockets.

Please, continue the non evidence based war on cannabis because you choose to ignore the scientific and medical arguments for widespread legalisation and use of cannabis as a recreational social, and medical pharmaceutical substance.

If it is legalised, grow houses will still be illegal just like home grown tobacco is. The “let’s legalise and tax it” argument is poorly thought out. If it is legalised it must, in my opinion, be a free for all, meaning anyone can grow it in what amounts they like.

Criminal syndicates like the one responsible for these houses will probably move onto different ventures, like clan labs, then we can work out how to deal with that when it happens.

watto23 said :

I’m not sure what the real effects of using marijuana is, but IMO its safer than tobacco and probably safer than alcohol. So wasting money on these kind of things when we could legalise and tax it makes much more sense. The latest National geographic has a good article about it. The plant can also be used to make fibre for use in making things like clothing and bags etc. But I believe they are the not so useful plants in terms of using them as a drug.

If this country put as much effort into fixing important issues as it does into fixing minor problems, we’d have a much better place.

To elaborate: Female marijuana plants contain an active ingredient called THC. THC is a psychoactive substance that affects cognitive function and reasoning, which in layman’s terms means it messes with your head. In large doses it has mildly hallucinogenic effects, not as pronounced as something like LSD but distorting perception, depth of field and enhancing colours etc.

It is strongly psychologically addictive but only mildly physically addictive. Yes, addicts don’t generally feel the need to hold up service stations or rob little old ladies to support their habits, but smoking it does significant physical harm. It constricts blood vessels and gives off carcinogens similar to tobacco. Likewise similar to tobacco it damages the lung tissue and can inflame the throat and larynx. When ‘vapourised’ or ingested via the stomach (think hash cookies) it is far less physically damaging to the body.

And hippie liberal crap aside, it does contribute to mental health issues. It can cause paranoia and visual and auditory hallucinations even in normal, well adjusted people. If you have underlying mental health issues like schizophrenia or depression it can exacerbate those conditions.

Socially, it’s nowhere near as damaging as something like ice, but it is a drug nonetheless and should be treated with the appropriate respect. I have heard anecdotally that people suffering from debilitating conditions like MS, AIDS, and cancer have found using THC beneficial for pain relief, nausea etc, but I can’t comment on this. If it works for them, I’m all for having it legalised and regulated/taxed etc like all other legal medicines.

Finally, the hemp plant, which is a type of marijuana plant that does not contain the active ingredient THC, is a versatile plant used in all manner of ways as you’ve touched on. It’s cheap, hardy plant, and easy to grow and cultivate (as the nickname suggests it is basically a weed). Due to various governments’ ‘war on drugs’ the growing of hemp has been made more difficult than it needed to be due mainly to ignorance about the difference between marijuana and hemp plant species.

Tooks said :

dungfungus said :

Those high flying late night helicopter sorties with infra-red sensors and GPS are really paying dividends.

Helicopters weren’t used.

Tell me more.

I’m not sure what the real effects of using marijuana is, but IMO its safer than tobacco and probably safer than alcohol. So wasting money on these kind of things when we could legalise and tax it makes much more sense. The latest National geographic has a good article about it. The plant can also be used to make fibre for use in making things like clothing and bags etc. But I believe they are the not so useful plants in terms of using them as a drug.

If this country put as much effort into fixing important issues as it does into fixing minor problems, we’d have a much better place.

dungfungus said :

Those high flying late night helicopter sorties with infra-red sensors and GPS are really paying dividends.

Helicopters weren’t used.

Those high flying late night helicopter sorties with infra-red sensors and GPS are really paying dividends.

“$6 MILLION” in 6 weeks, wow sounds like a lot huh?

have a look here… http://www.priceofweed.com/prices/Australia/Australian-Capital-Territory.html

if we are talking street prices – then we are talking about over HALF A TON of smokable cannabis flower being grown hydroponically each month in our city, ($200-300/ounce=28g)

if we are talking wholesale, then the profit margin for the grower/distributor per month is over $4 million dollars

In legalised jurisdictions overseas, that money is channeled into legitimate businesses and jobs, health services etc not ‘ndranghetta coffers or vietnamese triad/leb gang pockets.

Please, continue the non evidence based war on cannabis because you choose to ignore the scientific and medical arguments for widespread legalisation and use of cannabis as a recreational social, and medical pharmaceutical substance.

Don’t people ever inspect their rental properties! No-one could grow cannabis in them if they did the normal regular inspections.

mossrocket said :

Imagine the good that could have been done by our government if that was a legal crop attracting GST?

Around the same amount they currently get from people who grow their own tobacco?

Imagine the good that could have been done by our government if that was a legal crop attracting GST?

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