Pubdate: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON) Copyright: 2014 Cornwall Standard Freeholder Contact: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/letters Website: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169 Author: Greg Peerenboom Page: A2 SABOT ERADICATED MARIJUANA PLANTS 'Our overall goal is a safe Canada': Insp. Tim Kimpan Local police agencies partnered with the Canadian Armed Forces over four days to eradicate 1,743 marijuana plants in SDG and Prescott-Russell earler this month. "Our overall goal is a safe Canada," said Inspector Tim Kimpan, officer in charge of the Cornwall Regional Task Force. "Illegal marijuana use and the criminality that surrounds it harms individuals and communities," he said of project SABOT - an annual collorboration. "This proactive strategy impacts the activities and financial benefits of organized crime." The armed forces provide aircraft and surveillance equipment and operating personnel for the operation. Since 1989, SABOT has yielded many arrests and destroyed thousands of pot plants. "The (armed forces) are committed to supporting other government departments in ongoing efforts to protect Canadians and their interests," said Brigadier-General Lowell Thomas, commander Joint Task Force (Central). "By working closely with the RCMP on SABOT, we're reinforcing to Canadians that we are vested in their safety and security." Assisting the CRTF and the armed forces were: the eastern Ontario Provincial Police, its Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and Emergency Response Team (ERT); the Cornwall Community Police Service, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, and the National Capital Region's Emergency Response Teams, and members from the Kingston and Ottawa RCMP Detachments. The CRTF continues to address the complaints of suspicious activity observed by local residents. To report suspicious activity, please contact the CRTF at 613-937-2800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt