Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jul 2013
Source: Simcoe Reformer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.simcoereformer.ca/letters
Website: http://simcoereformer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2386
Author: Daniel R. Pearce

POT SEASON OFF TO EARLY START

The illegal outdoor marijuana grow-op season got off to an early start
when a Vittoria-area farmer found 30 plants growing in his cornfield
Wednesday.

Police were called and removed the plants, which were about two-thirds
of a metre high with an estimated street value of $30,000.

Norfolk OPP Const. Ed Sanchuk said the man was walking around his St.
John's Rd. W. property when he noticed some of his corn was not as
high as in other areas and investigated.

It is not uncommon for marijuana growers to hijack a part of a
farmer's field, plant their crop, and return later to harvest it - all
without anyone knowing.

Most Augusts and Septembers, police make numerous raids in area fields
as the crop reaches full maturity. "We'd like to remind the public
that these grow-ops are dangerous," said Sanchuk. "They are a threat
to police and public safety."

Outdoor grow-ops are sometimes booby-trapped. Growers also have been
known to defend their stash with weapons while sometimes other
criminals, known as "pot pirates," try to steal the marijuana.

If you come across a grow-op, don't touch anything, leave the area
immediately, and call police, Sanchuk advised.

If anyone knows anything about this grow-op, police ask you to call
them at 1-888-310-1122 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go
to www.helpsolvecrime.com .

Here are some signs you may be near a grow-op:

- - abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails

- - people observed walking remote areas for no apparent
reason

- - bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals located in remote
areas

- - well-trampled trails in wooded areas or cornfields

- - cleared out areas in swamps, wooded areas, or cornfields

- - recent posting of "No Trespassing" signs

If you discover a suspected outdoor marijuana growing-operation:

- - call police or Crime Stoppers right away

- - do not touch any of the plants because of the chemical residue on
them

- - if confronted by a marijuana grower, leave the area immediately and
contact police

- - if it's safe to do so, record any licence plate numbers or GPS
information and notify police

- - remember: if you come across a grow op, leave the area immediately.
They are sometimes booby-trapped
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MAP posted-by: Matt