Crackdown On Dope Equipment Dealers

[boulder]

By EDITH BEVIN

April 13, 2004

 

 

The Territory's hydroponic equipment suppliers may be forced to undergo criminal history checks and keep stringent records of who they sell to.

 

Territory police have told the Northern Territory News that they are looking at ``a number of hydroponic suppliers'' over their suspected role in the cultivation of drugs.

 

One Darwin supplier has already been summonsed over his alleged role in supplying equipment for growing cannabis.

 

``We suspect that there are some hydroponics suppliers involved or assisting in the illicit manufacture of drugs,'' Drug Squad Senior Sergeant Les Martin.

 

Drug squad sources said they had anecdotal evidence of hydroponic suppliers helping their clients set up equipment specifically to grow cannabis.

 

The Government last night would not rule out following in the footsteps of South Australia where a private member's bill is set to make things tougher for hydroponic suppliers.

 

Under the SA private member's bill hydroponic suppliers would have to apply for a special licence.

 

The conditions of the licence could restrict anyone with an illicit drug or criminal history, including outlaw motorcycle gang members, from entering the hydroponics industry,

 

Shops would also be forced to keep detailed records of all transactions.

 

Clare Martin's Government has already introduced the toughest drug laws in the Territory's history.

 

The NT News understands that those laws are currently under review to see if any loopholes in the legislation need tightening.

 

Police Minister Paul Henderson said police have not raised the issue of hydroponic suppliers with the Government. But he said if may be an area they would look at with police in the future.

 

In the Territory hydroponic cannabis is the most commonly used and sought-after variety.

 

Hydroponic cultivation offers a number of advantages to dope growers including higher yields and a perception of a reduced risk of detection.

 

Hydroponic crops can vary in size and sophistication from a small number of plants to large-scale production involving the conversion of residential homes and shipping containers.

 

Northern Territory News

Edited April 12, 2004 by boulder

[deejayvee]

Don't tell me the 5 year old was buying a hydroponic setup????

[free choice]

``We suspect that there are some hydroponics suppliers involved or assisting in the illicit manufacture of drugs,'' Drug Squad Senior Sergeant Les Martin.

 

what a twat .... ! suspect ?... damn .. the MJ cultivation grow houses are propping up a whole industry ...

 

those dry sticks !... document bound & conditioned by their jobs ...

their heads are in political regulation land .... they're not supposed to think for them selves .... they just carryout their duty , blindly obedient & oblivious to how pointless & stupid it all is... Prohibition is a ridiculous hangover from the 30s... & that warmongering Bastard George Bush & his fucked up DEA cronies .. will have to DIE OUT ... before we see some logic & sense...

 

FREE YOUR MIND .. & THE REST WILL FOLLOW !

 

all cops should be made to smoke Marijuana in their training ...

& then let them make up their minds if it's so bad !... GAWD !

[Guest kiwi1]

shit that stinks here in wa grow shops dont take note who buying what but thay can be find for talking about setups for good dope growing

[jonbrown]

I got told this was going to be Australia wide....dunno if true, but sniffer dogs are now,,,

As said in an above post our governemnt iz following USA's war on drugs and terror.... Good on ya bush and howard, ya fuk ups.. this is australia, not america, dont treat us like it is..