South Africans rush to harvest cannabis plantation

A large cannabis plantation discovered on the outskirts of a South African city reportedly sent locals rushing to the scene to harvest the banned drug.

The field was found growing behind a park in Saulsville, Pretoria West, by residents on Sunday and by Wednesday, it had been virtually stripped of the drug, which is known as "dagga" in South Africa. Only three bushes which were in deep undergrowth and inaccessible remained.

One man, 32, who did not want to be named, told South Africa's Times newspaper he filled two refuse bags with the drug. "I am set for at least a year if I smoke alone," he said. "All I need now is a concealed spot where I can dry it."

Another man, who said he did not smoke the drug himself, said he filled a 25-litre bucket for his friends and relatives who were smokers.

According to the newspaper, the city's police have destroyed two other large cannabis plantations, each the size of a rugby field, in recent years.

The destroyed fields had a potential harvest with an estimated street value of around R5 million.

Possession of cannabis in South Africa is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. (The Telegraph)