Dunedin Police Believe 4.20pm Pro Cannabis Law Reform Protests Infiltrated By 'Known Gang Associates'

Channel 9 Dunedin
June 6, 2008 - 8:00pm

http://www.ch9.co.nz/node/9148 (click link to watch video)

Dunedin Police believe the regular 4.20pm pro cannabis law reform protests at the University of Otago have been infiltrated by 'known gang associates'.

However Police failed to show at this afternoon's cannabis-smoking protest, where a large group of supporters gathered.

After saying they would issue trespass notices at the twice-weekly protest, police were conspicuous by their absence late this afternoon.

Instead, a group of up to 60 people, mostly students, smoked and talked quietly in front of the OUSA building.

University student services director David Richardson says the university had asked police to act, because it was concerned drug dealers and gang affiliates had been associating with the group.

Abe Gray, Otago spokesman for the marijuana law reform group Norml, said gang members and underage people had tried to join the group, but had been turned away.

Dunedin area police commander inspector Dave Campbell says the group's activities were flouting the law, and had to be stopped.

He said trespass notices would be issued to non-students as often as necessary, to force the group from the campus.

In anticipation of a police presence, Mr Gray advised those attending the 4:20 gathering of their rights if police asked to search individuals.

He also asked people to take pieces of chalk and write the name of Norml throughout the city to highlight the issue.