Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
When Scott Richard Short's house burned down, he lost everything - including his cannabis crop and growing set-up.
The fire was not caused by the sophisticated growing operation he had at the South Dunedin address but fire investigators and police did not have to search too hard to find evidence of the 31-year-old's criminal endeavors.
Emergency services were called to the burning property at 4.45pm on June 20.
When they arrived, the house was engulfed in flames, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday.
An investigation of the premises took place the following day, which turned up cannabis grow pots in three rooms.
Eighteen charred stalks were found. Police also found cannabis plant material in drawers and one room appeared to have been set up for cultivation.
"This room was lined out with polythene," a summary of facts said.
"It contained further pots, a drill gun and piece, a transformer, four fans and two sets of growing lights."
There appeared to be the remnants of a second growing area at the back of the house, police said.
Based on expected yield from a plant, police believed the crop could have been worth as much as $25,000.
Short was adamant the class-C drugs were for personal use and said only half of the plants were female and capable of producing bud.
"Not having grown it myself", defense counsel Andrew More said he had had to research the issue.
Judge Dominic Flatley had also looked online and found Short's information was correct, which meant the police estimates about yield were not necessarily accurate.
"I have to be very careful not to reach any conclusions or make any assumptions," he said.
"Much of the evidence was destroyed."
The judge classed it as "serious cultivation" but said there was no evidence of a commercial enterprise.
If there had, he said he would have sent Short to prison.
Judge Flatley noted the defendant had cannabis convictions from 2009 and 2006.
"Clearly you have been using cannabis over a lengthy period of time," he said.
"If you continue to do so, Mr Short, you will be back before the court and you will spend lengthy periods of time in prison."
On the charge of cultivating cannabis, Short was sentenced to six months' community detention, 200 hours' community work and 12 months' supervision.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: House fire ended cannabis growing | Otago Daily Times Online News
Author: Rob Kidd
Contact: Contact us | Otago Daily Times Online News
Photo Credit: Craig Galloway
Website: Otago Daily Times Online News | Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News
The fire was not caused by the sophisticated growing operation he had at the South Dunedin address but fire investigators and police did not have to search too hard to find evidence of the 31-year-old's criminal endeavors.
Emergency services were called to the burning property at 4.45pm on June 20.
When they arrived, the house was engulfed in flames, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday.
An investigation of the premises took place the following day, which turned up cannabis grow pots in three rooms.
Eighteen charred stalks were found. Police also found cannabis plant material in drawers and one room appeared to have been set up for cultivation.
"This room was lined out with polythene," a summary of facts said.
"It contained further pots, a drill gun and piece, a transformer, four fans and two sets of growing lights."
There appeared to be the remnants of a second growing area at the back of the house, police said.
Based on expected yield from a plant, police believed the crop could have been worth as much as $25,000.
Short was adamant the class-C drugs were for personal use and said only half of the plants were female and capable of producing bud.
"Not having grown it myself", defense counsel Andrew More said he had had to research the issue.
Judge Dominic Flatley had also looked online and found Short's information was correct, which meant the police estimates about yield were not necessarily accurate.
"I have to be very careful not to reach any conclusions or make any assumptions," he said.
"Much of the evidence was destroyed."
The judge classed it as "serious cultivation" but said there was no evidence of a commercial enterprise.
If there had, he said he would have sent Short to prison.
Judge Flatley noted the defendant had cannabis convictions from 2009 and 2006.
"Clearly you have been using cannabis over a lengthy period of time," he said.
"If you continue to do so, Mr Short, you will be back before the court and you will spend lengthy periods of time in prison."
On the charge of cultivating cannabis, Short was sentenced to six months' community detention, 200 hours' community work and 12 months' supervision.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: House fire ended cannabis growing | Otago Daily Times Online News
Author: Rob Kidd
Contact: Contact us | Otago Daily Times Online News
Photo Credit: Craig Galloway
Website: Otago Daily Times Online News | Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News
