Pubdate: Fri, 19 May 2006 Source: Lindsay Daily Post (CN ON) Copyright: 2006 Lindsay Daily Post Contact: http://www.thepost.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2333 Author: Jason Bain Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) OVER $1M IN POT SEIZED ELDON TWP. - Police are asking you to watch for marijuana grows after busting an operation yielding over $1 million worth of the drug Wednesday. Just before noon hour, City of Kawartha Lakes OPP said they and the Kawartha Combined Forces Drug Unit used a warrant to search a home on Prospect Road in the former Eldon Township, where they discovered a large indoor and outdoor grow operation. Some 1,250 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, eight pounds of dried buds and 10 pounds of dried leaves were seized, along with a small amount of compressed marijuana and cannabis resin. Police estimated the potential street value of the drugs at $1,270,410. Tis the season for starting marijuana grow operations and the detachment's investigator on the drug unit - who preferred to remain anonymous - said you can help police by keeping an eye out for the following indicators of grows: Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails; the officer said police get many calls from those who have talked to suspicious people who may say they are looking for turkeys, for example. "They come up with dumb excuses." People walking in remote areas for no apparent reason Bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals found in remote areas, or even on your own property Well-trampled trails in wooded areas or corn fields. "Very seldom do they (grow) on their own property," the officer said. Numerous No trespassing' signs appearing out of nowhere The drug unit, which seized over 40,000 plants in outdoor marijuana grow operations in 2005, suggested the most ideal spots for grows are in swamps, corn fields, wooded areas and along rivers. That means Kawartha Lakes is a "prime location" for growers, the officer said. "We have the right mix of everything." Once planted, plants will mature over a period of five months and need attention only about every other week, the Drug Unit stated. It is in late September and early October that the grower returns to harvest the plants, leaving the roots behind. A 43-year-old Prospect Road man was arrested at the scene of Wednesday's bust and charged with production of a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance. Craig Dossantos was released for a June 15 appearance in Lindsay court. Police said the Drug Unit continues to investigate and further charges are pending. What to do if you discover an outdoor marijuana operation: Call police or Crime Stoppers Do not touch the plants due to possible chemicals Do not approach the grow because of the possibility of booby traps or guards If confronted, leave right away. "Grab a plate if you can, and call us or Crime Stoppers." - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPF Florida)