12/09/2012
Boom In Cannabis Trade Leading To Increase In Gang Violence
A senior police officer has warned of an upsurge in shootings and gang-related violence related to a ‘boom’ in the cannabis trade.
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ward of Merseyside police, who chairs the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, says the punishments for those caught cultivating and dealing in cannabis are not a deterrent and the drug is now causing greater problems for police than class As.
According to Ward, an "explosion" in cannabis production has resulted in bitter struggles between rival gangs keen to exploit the ease by which cannabis can be manufactured and what they regard as easy money.
Shootings in Merseyside have soared by a third since April and officers believe their experience is mirrored across the regions.
Ward, who also heads the force's elite Matrix unit that works to combat drug and gun crime, said: "A lot of these shootings are linked to activity around cannabis.
"We are seeing big increases in cannabis production on Merseyside. Individual groups are fighting turf wars … We have huge issues around cannabis."
Ward added: "There has been an explosion in the market for cannabis. Unlike class A drugs, which the criminals can't make themselves, there is the opportunity to grow cannabis in the bathrooms or bedrooms of houses. They can make a lot of money very quickly at less risk [to themselves] and less risk in terms of sentencing.
"Criminals who have previously been involved in something else are drifting into the cannabis world … The amount of money being made by criminals should be reflected in the sentencing."
(H)
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ward of Merseyside police, who chairs the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, says the punishments for those caught cultivating and dealing in cannabis are not a deterrent and the drug is now causing greater problems for police than class As.
According to Ward, an "explosion" in cannabis production has resulted in bitter struggles between rival gangs keen to exploit the ease by which cannabis can be manufactured and what they regard as easy money.
Shootings in Merseyside have soared by a third since April and officers believe their experience is mirrored across the regions.
Ward, who also heads the force's elite Matrix unit that works to combat drug and gun crime, said: "A lot of these shootings are linked to activity around cannabis.
"We are seeing big increases in cannabis production on Merseyside. Individual groups are fighting turf wars … We have huge issues around cannabis."
Ward added: "There has been an explosion in the market for cannabis. Unlike class A drugs, which the criminals can't make themselves, there is the opportunity to grow cannabis in the bathrooms or bedrooms of houses. They can make a lot of money very quickly at less risk [to themselves] and less risk in terms of sentencing.
"Criminals who have previously been involved in something else are drifting into the cannabis world … The amount of money being made by criminals should be reflected in the sentencing."
(H)
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11 August 2014
Cannabis Factory Uncovered In Cardiff Hospital
Police in Cardiff searching for a missing person have uncovered a cannabis farm in a disused ward of a psychiatric hospital. It is understood that around 30 cannabis plants were uncovered by officers during a search at Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff. News of the cannabis farm was revealed in a report by the BBC.
Cannabis Factory Uncovered In Cardiff Hospital
Police in Cardiff searching for a missing person have uncovered a cannabis farm in a disused ward of a psychiatric hospital. It is understood that around 30 cannabis plants were uncovered by officers during a search at Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff. News of the cannabis farm was revealed in a report by the BBC.
07 May 2008
'U-Turn' As Cannabis Reclassified To Class B
Cannabis has been reclassified as a Class B drug, it has been announced today. In making her decision The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith went against the advice of The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which wanted to keep it a Class C drug. The council has not been overruled for 30 years.
'U-Turn' As Cannabis Reclassified To Class B
Cannabis has been reclassified as a Class B drug, it has been announced today. In making her decision The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith went against the advice of The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which wanted to keep it a Class C drug. The council has not been overruled for 30 years.
01 May 2008
Brown To Decide On Cannabis Reclassification
The Prime Minister has said that the Government needs to issue a warning to young people of the dangers of using cannabis. Gordon Brown was speaking after he received a report from the the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on cannabis and will now have to decide whether to upgrade the 'weed' from the 'soft' Class C drug to Class B.
Brown To Decide On Cannabis Reclassification
The Prime Minister has said that the Government needs to issue a warning to young people of the dangers of using cannabis. Gordon Brown was speaking after he received a report from the the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on cannabis and will now have to decide whether to upgrade the 'weed' from the 'soft' Class C drug to Class B.
26 April 2004
Julie Ward inquest opens in Ipswich
An inquest into the death of Julie Ward, the British wildlife photographer is to begin, nearly 16 years after her body was found in a Kenyan reserve. Miss Ward, 28, from Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, disappeared from her campsite in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 7, 1988.
Julie Ward inquest opens in Ipswich
An inquest into the death of Julie Ward, the British wildlife photographer is to begin, nearly 16 years after her body was found in a Kenyan reserve. Miss Ward, 28, from Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, disappeared from her campsite in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 7, 1988.
28 August 2012
Cannabis Use In Teens Used To Link Drop In IQ
New research finds that persistent cannabis use during adolescence can cause lasting harm to a person's intelligence, attention and memory.
Cannabis Use In Teens Used To Link Drop In IQ
New research finds that persistent cannabis use during adolescence can cause lasting harm to a person's intelligence, attention and memory.
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