Pubdate: Wed, 26 Feb 2003
Source: Cochrane Times (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 Cochrane Times
Contact:  http://www.cochranetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1588
Author:  Darryl Mills

GROW OPERATIONS HAVEN'T BEEN AN ISSUE HERE

While Canada's fastest growing small community is still reeling from their
13th marijuana grow operation being busted in only seven weeks, things in
the country's fastest growing community overall remain quiet.

Last week Chestermere RCMP continued their assault on pot growers in that
community by shutting down another operation, a number of which were all
located on the same cul-de-sac in the community.

The RCMP operations have led to millions of dollars of equipment and product
being confiscated, and a dent in the supply of the drug, both in Chestermere
and area, as well as Calgary.

Although Cochrane shares many of the same characteristics that have
apparently made Chestermere a pot-hotbed -- smaller community, affluent,
close to Calgary -- the same phenomenon hasn't been found here.

But Cochrane RCMP Staff Sgt. John Cantafio warned that Cochrane RCMP aren't
resting easy.

"It's always a concern and it is something we're very vigilant about," he
said.

He said although there hasn't been a lot of news surrounding grow operations
in this area in recent months, they have been seen here before.

"It's not like Cochrane (RCMP) hasn't taken any down," he said. "Before I
got here there were quite a few that were shut down in this area."

However, as for right within Cochrane, Cantafio said it hasn't been a
problem the way it has in Chestermere, and the area of most concern is the
rural area that the Cochrane RCMP police, which is very large.

"These kind of operations are often primarily found in rural areas," he
said, adding the reason is primarily because the more isolated the location,
the less chance they have of being seen.

In one operation last year, Cochrane RCMP did lay criminal charges against a
man who was selling drugs from a residence in Cochrane, but they haven't
seen grow operations here.

Cantafio added however that they are following leads on some reputed grow
operations in this area.

"We do have some leads and we are actively pursuing them."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh