Pubdate: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 Source: Annapolis County Spectator; The (CN NS) Copyright: 2011 Transcontinental Nova Scotia Media Group inc. Contact: http://www.annapoliscountyspectator.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4699 Author: Lawrence Powell COPS SNAG 739 POT PLANTS Police in Annapolis County seized hundreds of marijuana plants over the weekend in an aerial blitz that covered one end of the county to the other. The Annapolis County Street Crime Enforcement Unit and Annapolis RCMP Detachment, under coordination of the RCMP Marijuana Grow Op Enforcement Team, conducted an aerial marijuana eradication operation with good results according to Cpl. Laurie Smith. "It was very successful, resulting in 739 marijuana plants being seized," Smith said. Smith said that as in past years, the RCMP continues to encourage the public to contact their local RCMP detachment or police force if they have information about a marijuana grow operation. Sgt. Keith MacKinnon agrees. He's with the RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Awareness Service and said it is crucial for the RCMP to have the communities' support to make Nova Scotia communities safer. "Nova Scotia's landscape varies tremendously, making it impossible to cover every piece of land," he said. "Community safety is everyone's responsibility and outdoor marijuana grow operations pose a danger to public health and safety." He said outdoor grow-ops are often associated with organized crime which leads to increased risk of violence. Grop-ops can be guarded and unsuspecting citizens may happen upon them unknowingly. He said grow-ops are often protected by booby traps such as bear traps and firearms. "At this time of year we take advantage of the outdoors," MacKinnon said. "Whether it's hiking, camping, flying, hunting, or fishing, it's important the public is able to recognize the signs of grow operations." The pot plants are bright green and the leaves have seven jagged fingers. The plants grow between three and six feet tall and give off an odour similar to that of a skunk. Common signs of a marijuana grow operation are: * Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails * Repeated attendance to remote locations * People observed walking in remote areas for no apparent reason * People trespassing onto fields on foot or by off road vehicle * Bags of fertilizer, planting trays, or chemicals located in remote areas or dumped at the side of the road * Well-trampled trails in wooded or swamp areas * Cleared out areas in swamps, wooded areas, or corn fields * No Trespassing or Beware of Dog signs within forests, cornfields, etc. MacKinnon advice the public not to approach outdoor grow operations because of the possible booby traps, and said not to touch the plants because harmful chemicals may have been used on them. Anyone with information on grow-ops can contact the RCMP at 665-4481 or 825-2000. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.