29 Mar 2005

Vanuatu police continuing raids following the arrest of marijuana growers

4:46 pm on 29 March 2005

Police in Vanuatu are continuing to raid properties of suspected marijana growers, following several arrests last week.

Three people were arrested for cultivating marijuana plantations in northern Efate, and police are now conducting raids in southern Efate.

Our correspondent in Port Villa, Len Garae, says there is concern over the growing trend among young people to harvest the illegal drug.

"It's busy now with the increasing number of young people leaving school, and there is no employment. And so they turn to what is seen to be the easiest way of earning money, and they plant marijuana."

Len Garae says chiefs have found it difficult to control young people and monitor marijuana growing in villages.