Police are testing new devices to identify drug-impaired drivers. Whether or not the impending legalization of recreational marijuana use will have an impact on drug-impaired driving remains to be seen. However, the timing of a pilot project to detect drug impairment could give police new resources as legislation legalizing recreational cannabis is introduced in Parliament this spring. The pilot project is being tested by OPP, including Perth County, Toronto, Vancouver, Gatineau, Halifax, and Yellowknife police forces, as well as North Battleford RCMP. [continues 499 words]
A stellar year for corn means more work for marijuana growers. The corn is growing rapidly this season, which means illegal grow-operations hidden in cornfields need more care than usual. "Because the corn is growing so rapidly, some of these guys have to clear out a lot of corn to get enough sunlight," said Perth County OPP Const. Kees Wijnands. To make it easier to find their marijuana plants among the rows of corn, some illegal crop growers are using GPS systems to locate their crops, Wijnands said. [continues 221 words]
A joint police investigation has netted $22 million worth of marijuana from outdoor grow-ops in and around Stratford. Police do aerial searches for marijuana hidden in farmer's fields and natural areas every year but this year the amount found was significant. "I believe it's the largest one we've ever had,"said Insp. Sam Theocharis of Stratford police. "When the economy is down the enticement and lure of illicit drugs are on the rise," he said. In all, 22,000 plants were destroyed. The team effort called Project OSABOT lasted a week from Aug. 24-31 and included the RCMP, OPP, Stratford police, Oxford Community police, Waterloo Regional police and six others. [continues 133 words]
Fewer Arrests, Lab Busts For all the talk of Perth County being the crystal meth capital of Ontario it's been awfully quiet lately. Where is all the meth? Officials caution it's still common across the county and in some neighbouring counties as well. "We believe it's still very prevalent in our community," said Mayor Dan Mathieson, chair of the Perth County Task Force on Crystal Meth. "With regards to production of the drug we're not seeing it on such a widespread basis but we still believe it occurs." [continues 746 words]
With two big marijuana seizures so far this summer, there could be as many as 18 more to come. Every summer, corn fields are a target for pot growers who clear away a section of the farmer's crop and plant their own crops. The marijuana is usually well hidden in the field, and the illegal crop gets all the benefits of the farmers' fertilizers. Perth County OPP Const. Glen Childerley said on average there are upwards of 20 each summer. [continues 329 words]
Local Fire And Road Crews Training To Spot Dangerous Speed Operations As more methamphetamine labs spring up in Perth County, firefighters and road crews find their jobs getting more dangerous. To combat the increased danger, the Drug Enforcement Section from western region headquarters of the OPP held information sessions for local fire and road crews to teach them what to look for. In the past two years, 10 meth labs have been discovered in Perth County. In mid-December road crews in Perth East attended a session after the manager of public works and parks, Glenn Schwendinger, requested it. [continues 416 words]
One In Four Meth Labs Blows Up, So The OPP Is Training Firefighters How To Stay Safe. STRATFORD -- Firefighters and road crews are being schooled by the OPP on handling the growing dangers lurking within illegal drug labs springing up in Perth County. In the past two years, 10 methamphetamine labs have been found in Perth. The labs rely on a dangerous mix of substances, including propane and ammonia, to manufacture the street drug, commonly known as speed. To fight the danger, the OPP's Western Region drug enforcement section has held information sessions for fire and road crews to teach them what to look for. [continues 357 words]
