Pubdate: Wed, 02 May 2012
Source: Huntsville Forester, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Huntsville Forester
Contact:  http://www.huntsvilleforester.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2430
Author: Brent Cooper

OPP WARNING RESIDENTS NOT TO INVESTIGATE GROW-OPS

It's an issue that is growing like a bad weed.

Literally.

The Ontario Provincial Police is alerting residents to keep an eye 
peeled for signs of illegal marijuana growing operations or 
"grow-ops" in their region.

Police say that each year during the late spring and summer months, 
people involved with growing illegal marijuana head into rural areas 
to start and care for, in some cases, very large plots of marijuana plants.

"This is the time of year when the seedlings are getting ready for 
transplantation in the wooded area for the typical grow locations," 
said Const. Peter Leon, the media relations officer for the OPP's 
Central Region. "It is certainly something we are concerned about."

Typically, according to Leon, these crops are located in swamps, corn 
fields, wooded areas, along rivers and on rural rental properties 
with large acreage. He said that the operations are held in these 
types of areas because they are secluded for the most part and close 
to a water source.

"People who have taken the time to put this crop in place will need 
to continue providing that TLC that they have provided up to this 
point. It grows like a weed so it needs water, so they are located in 
close proximity to running water, whether it be a pond or river 
stream. They will also clear an area, possibly near the cover of 
trees, but close to a roadway so they can still harvest."

Marijuana plants are bright green in colour and grow to between three 
and five feet in height. Marijuana leaves have seven jagged fingers 
and the plants give off a strong, pungent, musty odour.

Common indicators of outdoor marijuana grow operations include:

* Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails;

* People walking in remote areas for no apparent reason;

* Bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals located in remote areas;

* Well-trampled trails in wooded or swamp areas;

* Cleared out areas in swamps, wooded areas or corn fields;

* Numerous no trespassing signs out of nowhere.

Normally, marijuana crops will be harvested starting as early as late 
August up until the beginning of October.

Grow-ops are not uncommon in the Muskoka and surrounding region. In 
2011, a search warrant in Magnetawan turned up an outdoor cannabis 
marijuana grow operation of 1,027 plants with a potential street 
value of $1,027,000. Also seized in the raid were power tools, a 
surveillance system and growing equipment.

As a result of the raid, a 28-year-old Markham man was arrested and 
charged with the production of a controlled substance and production 
of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

More recently, Bracebridge OPP arrested two people after raiding a 
marijuana grow-op in February. Investigators also found more than 
$20,000 worth of drugs and drug-related items after executing a 
search warrant at a Gravenhurst home.

Two people from Gravenhurst were charged with the production of 
marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purposes of trafficking 
and possession of cannabis resin.

Leon said that people should not try to investigate these grow-ops 
and should be careful of the risks involved should they find such an operation.

These risks include the potential presence of criminals, weapons and 
ammunition found on grow-op sites, and the potential for booby traps, 
rigged by the criminals growing these plants in an attempt to defend 
their illegal crops from other criminals known as "pot pirates."

"The booby trap could be a trip line that is connected to some form 
of mechanism. We have come across things in place that could harm 
someone if they were to trip the line or it could alert someone 
guarding the crops," Leon said.

He recounted an incident when OPP raided a grow-op and encountered 
people guarding the crop who carried guns and were wearing body armour.

"For some people, planting a crop is an investment and they will seek 
to protect that investment. But most cases, people will plant the 
crop, leave and come back on an occasional basis."

The constable said that if someone did discover an illegal grow-op, 
they are to call police immediately. Do not touch the plants because 
many have chemical residue. If possible and safe to do so, record any 
license plate or GPS information and notify police.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom