Pubdate: Wed, 13 Aug 2003 Source: Sturgis Journal, The (MI) Copyright: 2003 The Sturgis Journal Contact: http://www.sturgisjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1481 Author: Corky Emrick MARIJUANA CROPS HARVESTED CENTREVILLE -- Area marijuana growers will notice a reduction in their crops this year. Over the last few weeks, members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics Unit (SCAN) have seized more than 700 plants. Mature plants have a value of about $1,000 each. Last week, the team seized more than 200 plants in the Three Rivers and Flowerfield township areas. The plants ranged in heights from 12 feet to two feet and up to two inches in diameter. Officers have received many tips from farmers and citizens on the locations of plots of the plants through out St. Joseph County. "We couldn't be nearly this successful without the public's cooperation," SCAN Investigator Mark Lillywhite said. Tuesday morning, the team, along with the help of the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department reserves paid visits to fields in Burr Oak and Florence townships, harvesting almost 500 plants. Later in the day, the plants were destroyed. Officers have also did aerial searches several other locations throughout the county and have several plots identified with marijuana plants. Most growers plant seedlings within corn fields in the spring and harvest the plants after the first frost. Corn fields are most often used to hide the plants from seen. "We have a goal of getting at least 1,000 plants this year, at the pace we're at, that shouldn't be very difficult," Lillywhite said. Lillywhite also wants anyone with information on marijuana growing operations to contact SCAN at 467-9045 ext. 245. "I want to urge all the marijuana growers to tend to their crops. SCAN looks forward to meeting with them in the fields," Lillywhite said. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart