Marijuana plants of all sizes removed from upper Waterworks mountain
On August 16, Inspector William Thompson of the Royal Montserrat Police force invited the media to show a sack of what they said was full of cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants that they had removed from an area “up and beyond the reaches Waterworks,” on the way to Kilicranke.
The Inspector said they had carried out surveillance from intelligence information, which led them to the area where they removed some 403 plants that measured from a few centimeters to three feet tall.
Sack containing the uprooted marijuana plants in heights up to 3 feet
Thompson also informed that they had carried out a similar exercise the previous week, that time in the Centre Hills area where they destroyed and removed 153 plants that were more mature than the current batch. That area, he said, was closer to the main road from Runaway Ghaut in that they were able to walk to the area in approximately one and a half hours.
The police said they did not know who cultivated the plants, which in both locations were laid out in nice rows in nicely cleared forest areas. The plants according to the police, were always cultivated close to a water source.
The Inspector said he was unable to give any idea as to the value of the ganja plants they were about to destroy as this is usually determined when the plants are processed and ready for sale.
Illegal Gaming and Liquor licences
Reporting on other criminal activities, Inspector Thompson revealed that they were continuing to make their police presence felt in the communities in an effort to reduce the incidence of crime. He said that on the weekend just concluded they had apprehended five persons (all male) allegedly for illegal gaming at a “business enterprise.”
He said that the matter had been causing some concern and involved the question of persons abusing their liquor licence privileges, by keeping their business places open after closing hours. Not only was the illegal gaming practice becoming a concern, but there was also the issue of noise pollution caused by some persons at their business places after they should have closed.
The police reported that no charges were laid against the apprehended persons and later reports said that monies taken from these persons for the alleged illegal gaming had been returned. One such person who considered himself a victim reported that he did not receive all the money that was taken from him as it was done in two instances, but as he was uncertain of the exact amounts he decided not to pursue any further action.
