Pubdate: Sun, 19 Sept 1999
Source: Ogdensburg Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 1999 St Lawrence County Newspapers Corp.
Contact:  P.O. Box 409, Ogdensburg, New York 13669
Fax: (315) 393-5108
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Author: Matt Akins-Journal Reporter-

POT HARVEST HITS $40 MILLION IN SEIZURES

(Canton, NY)--Tis the season for the marijuana harvest in the North Country, 
as the St.Lawrence County Drug Task Force estimates approximately 
$40 million worth of marijuana plants have been eradicated this year, 
already making St.Lawrence County one of the front runners in marijuana
seizures in New York State.

A spokesman for the County Drug Task Force said approximately 40,000
plants have been seized by the task force so far this year.  He hopes
another 20,000 more plants will be eradicated as the harvest season
continues.  St.Lawrence County is traditionally one of the leaders in
New York State in marijuana seizures, according to the task force member.

Friday afternoon, the County Task Force seized another $50,000 worth
of fully mature marijuana plants (49 plants) on a property in the town
of Madrid.

They say the plants stood between 8-12 feet high, with 18 inch buds. 
A Task Force member called it an "exceptional crop".

The plants were seized off the Troot Brookroad, Madrid near the KV
power lines on Friday.

With the help of a tip, sheriff's deputies supplied four wheelers, and
the task force found the crop between a mile and a mile and half off
the road.

Three members of the task force, one deputy, and two civilians were
involved in the bust.  The investigation is continuing and arrests are
pending.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency estimates that each marijuana plant
can harvest around $1000 worth of marijuana.  But the value of the
marijuana depends on the season.  The crop harvested in the fall
fetches a lower price on the street than dope in February or March,
according to the task force spokesman.  "It's hard to put a cash value
on them," he said.

During a marijuana search, there are a number of indicators that the
task force looks for including growth paths, water buckets, and cars
along side the road.  He said the county wide task force does receive
some reconnaissance help but they do a lot of their work on foot.

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