Uganda: Ugandan Flowers Attract US Buyers

24-03-2006 Nearly two months after the first consignment of Ugandan flowers hit the US market, Ugandan producers are set to reap more in US exports, thanks to the just concluded World Floral Expo 2006, held in , from March 15 to 17. At the expo, that attracted over 30 US buyers and 142 companies that included growers and exporters, importers, distributors, breeders, transporters and packagers from around 20 countries including Uganda, American flower buyers indicated interest in Ugandan roses particularly because of their colour and bloom. Nearly two months after the first consignment of Ugandan flowers hit the US market, Ugandan producers are set to reap more in US exports, thanks to the just concluded World Floral Expo 2006, held in , from March 15 to 17. At the expo, that attracted over 30 US buyers and 142 companies that included growers and exporters, importers, distributors, breeders, transporters and packagers from around 20 countries including Uganda, American flower buyers indicated interest in Ugandan roses particularly because of their colour and bloom. "I think we can sell roses here. There is enormous potential, not only in Miami, but also in New York. I have already about 32 buyers that I can sell to at the moment and the number may go up," said Mr Keith Henderson, the Executive Director Uganda Flower Growers Association (UFEA). He also allayed fears by the importers that long distances between the US and Uganda would reduce the shelf life of the flowers. He also called on Ugandan producers to start preparing their farms to enter the US market,"he said. Ugandan companies that exhibited at the show include Rosebud Ltd owned by property mogul Mr Sudhir Ruparhelia and Pearl Flowers owned by another investor Mr Ragbhir SandhuBelflowers, J.H Floricultural growers, Jambo Roses, Melissa Flowers, Oasis Nurseries, Royal Van Zanten and Victoria Flowers. Uganda is already exporting roses to the US under the duty and quota free African Growth and Opportunity Act Initiative. Rosebud on January 31 sent the first consignment of over 500,000 hydroponics to the US through the Miami-based Orange Flower Connect Company. Rosebud produces Red Calypso flowers, Samoa, Trivoli, Chelsea, Revue and Marie Claire, while Pearl produces Safari, Frisco, Dream, Chelsea and Black Beauty. Ugandan producers could have made a breakthrough to the US markets but they still have to grapple with lack of government incentives, inconsistent production trends, scarce storage facilities and high freight charges that make Ugandan flowers less competitive. At the moment, exporters pay $2.09 per kg on a normal cargo flight, US 11 cents lower than the $2.20 per kg price tag on a passenger plane. Statistics indicate that in 2003, 5,000 metric tonnes were exported, amounting to $26m. In 2004, the figure rose to 6,300 metric tones worth $32m. It is anticipated that exports this year will be in excess of 7,200 metric tones, which will represent over $36 million. BRON

New drug crime blitz yields early results

A MAJOR police crackdown on drugs has yielded impressive results - with over 30 arrests, the closure of a crack house and the seizure of substantial amounts of drugs along with associated paraphernalia.

The initiative - code-named Operation Falcon - was launched on March 3. It aims to smash the drugs trade across East Berkshire.

Within hours of the operation beginning, a crack house in Mansfield Close, Slough, was shut down after a successful court hearing.

Police also arrested and subsequently charged three men on suspicion of being in possession of drugs after their car was stopped by officers in Carrington Road.

A drugs warrant was executed in Howard Avenue, Slough, which resulted in the arrest of two women and a man on suspicion of intent to supply class A drugs.

The man and one of the women were later released on police bail pending further inquiries while the second woman was charged with assault on police.

During the search of the premises, £250 worth of what is believed to be amphetamines was found, along with 75 ecstasy pills.

On Monday, March 13, a 19-year-old man and a 26-year-old man were given street cautions for possession of cannabis after they were arrested in Slough.

The following day, officers swooped on Upton Park where they arrested three people following concerns from locals about possible illegal drug activity in the vicinity.

One of the three, a man in his 30s, was arrested after officers found him in possession of what is believed to be 12 wraps of crack. He was subsequently charged.

A second man, in his 20s, was also charged. He was arrested after being found in possession of what is believed to be a wrap of heroin.

Subsequent police action has included:

* Five people arrested for drug related offences on Wednesday March 15.

* The discovery of cannabis and scales after the execution of a drugs warrant in Hunters Way, Cippenham.

* On March 16 three arrests made and a house raided in Harvey Road, Langley, where officers seized a small amount of cannabis and hydroponics equipment.

* Drug Enforcement Team officers raiding a house in Belgrave Road, Slough, where around 30g of what is believed to be crack with an estimated street value of £3,500 was discovered, together with cash and half a kilo of cannabis.

* A man being arrested and charged following the execution of a warrant at an address in Wessex Way, Maidenhead, where a quantity of cannabis was found.

Superintendent Mike Ismay, silver commander for Operation Falcon, said: "I am delighted with these solid results, which have been achieved right from the start of this long-term campaign.

"Although it may appear that most of the activity so far has centred around Slough, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes throughout Berkshire East and I am confident that we will shortly be seeing more visible activity in the Royal Borough and Bracknell Forest."

Anyone with information about drugs or related crime is asked to contact the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don't want to give your name or talk to police call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fayetteville man arrested

Charged with cultivating marijuana FAYETTEVILLE – A Fayetteville man accused of cultivating 41 marijuana plants in his home faces felony charges. On March 17, Brown County Sheriff deputies obtained a warrant from Brown County Municipal Judge Joe Worley to search the home of Donald Lloyd Wolf, 37, on state Route 50, in Fayetteville. During the search, deputies located 41 marijuana plants and the equipment to run an extensive hydroponics marijuana growing operation. “It was a very thought-out operation,” said Brown County Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger. Wenninger said if this individual was able to put so much time and effort into illegal activity, imagine what he could have accomplished if he put as much effort into something positive for the Brown County community. Wolf’s arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the sheriff’s department. Felony charges for cultivation of marijuana are pending against Wolf. Brown County Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger encouraged anyone with information concerning illegal drug activity to contact the sheriff’s department. Informants can remain anonymous by calling the Sheriff’s Office Drug Information Hotline at (937) 378-4435 ext. 275. By WADE LINVILLE

Marijuana promoter a target

Canadians find 'Prince of Pot' harmless; DEA begs to differ Sweet marijuana smoke tumbles down the steps from "the Vapor Lounge," a corner of Marc Emery's Vancouver, Canada, bookstore where customers toke up at will.

"We get high with everybody," Emery says, shrugging. "This is a pilgrimage spot, and people come here from all over the world. We get high."

Illegal? Yes.

So were the seeds he used to keep in a case in the store, with exotic names like Afghan Dream and Chemo Grizzly. So was the booming business he ran, complete with glossy seed catalogues describing the varieties' subtle and sublime nuances. ("Nebula: Fruity flavor and scent. Transcendental buzz. Harvest outdoor.") So, for that matter, are the other marijuana businesses that have sprouted up in the block around his bookstore. The street is nicknamed "Vansterdam,"with pot-hazy cafes, head shops filled with pipes and bongs, and neon signs advertising illegal seed sales.

Until recently, nobody much cared, it seemed. The police hadn't bothered to come around for eight years. Before that, they busted Emery for seed sales and raided him four times. But he just got fined, and the police stopped trying. By DOUG STRUCK The Washington Post

DRUGS 'FACTORY' FOUND

AN elaborate cannabis 'factory' that may have links to a much larger drug production operation along the coast, has been uncovered in Newhaven.

Housed within a residential property in Meeching Road was a hydroponics growing facility so sophisticated a police source described it as, 'one of the most impressive growing operations we have ever seen'. Police found more than 350 large plants growing in the house with a street value of several thousand pounds. Detective Constable Mike Baldwin, of Newhaven CID, said: 'The cannabis factory found at the property is an elaborate set up and extremely well designed. 'This find is considered to be significant step forward in reducing drug supply and although cannabis was reclassified to a class C drug, producing and supplying cannabis remains a serious offence and can mean up to 14 years imprisonment and a fine.'

Drugs raid in Newhaven

Home & Garden Briefs: 'Barrel aquaponics' workshop teaches growing technique

BRYSON CITY - Aquaculture and hydroponics come together in a workshop titled "Barrel Aquaponics - Construction and Operation" Monday and Tuesday at Camp Living Water, 1510 West Deep Creek Road.

Instruction will focus on aquaponics, which is the combining of aquaculture and hydroponics for mutual benefit. Each attendee will be given an opportunity to construct a highly productive, small-scale system from barrels, capable of producing fish and a large variety of vegetables, greens & herbs.

As a follow-up to the workshop, an Aquaponics Conference will be held Wednesday-March 31 at the same location.

Various specialists will discussthe latest techniques of constructing and managing theseunique systems. Field trips will be taken to the Swain High School Barrel Aquaponics System and Shelton Valley Farmshydroponic lettuce greenhouse complex near Whittier.

WNC residents can register for the workshop at the rate of $30, $60 for the conference or $75 for both.

Household donations sought

ASHEVILLE - Hospice Treasures, retail resale store, in Biltmore Square Mall near the new of Belk, is looking for donated items to sell in the store. Proceeds from the store benefit CarePartners Mountain Area Hospice, which provides care for patients with terminal illnesses and bereavement services for their families.

The store will accept any household goods in saleable condition except for computer equipment, major appliances, microwaves, older console televisions and waterbeds.

To arrange for pick up of large donations, call the store at 670-5638. Hospice Treasures is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Volunteers are also welcome.

Tulip 'extravaganza'

HENDERSONVILLE - Eight to ten thousand tulips are about to burst into bloom in downtown Hendersonville, according to master gardener Scott Johnson. "The bulbs we planted in the fall should be in full bloom the first and second week of April," said Johnson.

Blooms should appear between March 25-April 16. Area merchants are holding special events to coincide with the blooms, particularly on April 7-8.

HGTV crew calls for entries

HGTV (Home and Garden Television) and Weller/Grossman Productions are looking for unique, cool and creative projects designed and done by real people without the help of contractors or experts. They're searching for individuals across the country that would like to share their fun stories and incredible results.

So, if you've transformed your garage into a wine room or bowling alley, built Fido his own futuristic pad or an incomparable fantasy playroom for the kids, here's how to enter: To apply, e-mail a description of the project (with pictures before and after) of the area you've improved, and your contact info to P. Kalayeh at lwid@wellergrossman.com

Wrestling champ pleads guilty to drug charges

An Australian wrestling champion will be sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court next month over charges relating to the seizure of cannabis at five Canberra properties.

Fatos Rama pleaded guilty to possessing and cultivating cannabis, which prosecutors said would be worth around $1 million if it had been fully processed and sold.

The 26-year-old from Miranda in Sydney used a false name to rent five houses in Canberra between 2002 and 2004.

Police said he caused extensive damage to the properties so he could set up sophisticated hydroponics equipment to grow the plants.

Rama, the current national champion in the 84 kilogram wrestling division, was remanded in custody.

He will be sentenced next month.