The police raid on the Hemp Embassy in Nimbin yesterday delivered 7.5kg of cannabis leaf and ‘more than 500 pre-rolled cannabis “joints”, a small amount of an illicit substance believed to be methylamphetamine, and cash,’ said Richmond police in a press release this morning.
While the raid took up a significant amount of time and resources both on the part of the police and the organisers of the 27th Nimbin Mardi Grass, that gets off to a start with the Hemposium conference at 12 noon today, president of Nimbin’s HEMP Embassy and Australias HEMP Party Michael Balderstone told Echonetdaily that the police conducting the raid were ‘courteous and used their discretion’.
‘We have over 100 volunteers working at the Hemp Embassy preparing for the Nimbin Mardi Grass at the moment,’ said Mr Balderstone.
‘7.5kg of cannabis sounds much worse than it is. They weigh all the cakes and stalks. I’m not sure the joints were really cannabis, I think they were another herb.’
In fact Mr Balderstone was clear that they don’t sell cannabis from the Hemp Embassy and said he was surprised that they found what the police think is methamphetamine on the premises.
‘The police were really courteous and used their discretion and it could have been a lot worse. I think we’ll get the cash back,’ he said.
No photos of records
Concerns raised that the police were photographing the files of people the Hemp Embassy had supplied medicinal cannabis to have been dismissed by the observer from the Hemp Embassy who remained on site during the police raid.
$93,000 street value
According to police media the raid, set up as strike force Nerissa, commenced at 11.30am on Thursday, May 2 with assistance from Kyogle, and Woodenbong police.
‘Following inquiries by strike force detectives, it will be alleged a business on Cullen Street, Nimbin, was involved in supplying cannabis. The cannabis seized holds an estimated street value of $93,000,’ said the press release.
‘Following the search, a group of about 25 people were moved on from the location without incident.
‘As inquiries continue, no arrests or charges have been made.’
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