Pubdate: Wed, 05 Feb 2014
Source: Petrolia Topic (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The Petrolia Topic
Contact: http://www.petroliatopic.com/letters
Website: http://www.petroliatopic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5058
Author: John Phair
Page: 5

GROWING ALARM OVER ILLEGAL CROPS IN SARNIA-LAMBTON

Illegal cropping and the presence of marijuana grow-ops appear to be
rampant across much of Lambton County and the OPP is seeking the help
of farmers in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Const. Jason Yoama, a department manager at the Petrolia-based Lambton
detachment of the OPP, was one of the speakers at the Lambton Soil and
Crop Improvement Association's annual meeting. He asked everyone in
the room to raise their hand if they had ever discovered a marijuana
grow-op on their farm.

Nearly everyone in the room raised their hand.

"From the number that raised their hand I think the problem might be
worse than even we thought it was," said Yoama.

He noted that in 2013 there were 14 outdoor grow-ops reported in
Lambton County, but suggested that may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Yoama's message to the crowd was that for the OPP to stem the flow of
these illegal grow-ops, it needs farmers to call police when they find
marijuana plants on their farms or provide information on any
suspicious characters or activity they may observe near their farms.

"Sometimes you may think that information of what's outside on your
farm is not information we can use. If there is just a few plants you
may not consider it important," said Yoama.

"But any information like that can be extremely useful to us because
we can track that information and use mapping systems that can help us
determine patterns."

Yoama noted that last fall police were able to catch an individual
with 83 pounds of marijuana.

"He was on a harvest and had a map with 18 different locations across
the county where he was harvesting," he said.

"He was farming in the evenings and thankfully we were able to catch
him, but it gives you a little picture of how intricate and detailed
some of these individuals are."

Yoama added when farmers are out growing their corn and they discover
others are out there growing their little projects, if police are
called they can remove these grow-ops immediately.

"We can remove them before you start losing money on crops, but the
idea is you have to feed us that information," he said.

Yoama said there are two ways in which farmers can convey useful
information to police.

"If you don't want to get involved and want to remain anonymous then,
by all means, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS," he said. "The
more information you can give us the better."

However, Yoama said if tipsters are really upset and want to put a
name to the report, they can call 1-888-310-1122, which is the Lambton
OPP's direct dispatch line.

"It is all taped and you can make a report and let us know with as
much detail as possible what is happening on your farm," he said.

"We will send some officers out and they will follow
up."

Youma said it was a great interest of his to do something pro-active
this year and it may even be something collaborative with adjoining
counties.

"But I can only do something if you help me," he told the
crowd.

"I'm here today because I need your help."
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MAP posted-by: Matt