They're Watching You!

As posted in our local media:

OPP Drug Enforcement Section public safety reminder

Be aware of outdoor marijuana grow operations

ORILLIA - The Ontario Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Section (DES) is alerting the public to the increasing dangers associated with outdoor marijuana grow operations.

During the summer months each year, persons involved in growing marijuana head into rural areas to grow and care for, in some cases, very large plots of marijuana plants.

Typically, these illicit crops are located in areas such as:

- Swamps
- Corn fields
- Wooded areas
- Along rivers
- Rural rental properties with large acreage

Marijuana plants are bright green in colour and grow to between three and five feet in height.

Marihuana leaves have seven jagged fingers and the plants give off an odour similar to that of a skunk.

Common indicators of outdoor marijuana grows include:

- Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails.

- People observed walking in remote areas for no apparent reason.

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

- Well-trampled trails in wooded or swamp areas.

- Cleared out areas in swamps, wooded area or corn fields.

- Numerous signs appear out of nowhere indicating "No Trespassing."

Typically, marijuana crops will be harvested starting as early as late August up until the beginning of October.

During this time, there are numerous safety risks of which the public should be wary.

"These risks include the potential presence of criminals, weapons and ammunition found on grow-op sites, and the potential for booby traps, rigged by the criminals growing these plants in an attempt to defend their illegal crops from other criminals known as 'pot pirates'," according to Vince Hawkes, deputy commissioner - OPP Investigations & Organized Crime Command.

All of these factors could lead to dangerous confrontations for unsuspecting, innocent people - including children - who just happen to be in the area of these illegal crops.

Another risk that the OPP want to highlight is to the environment.

These criminal operations usually involve the unregulated use of many chemicals and other environmentally-damaging products.

If you discover or suspect an outdoor marijuana grow operation:

- As soon as possible, call your local police or Crime Stoppers.

- Do not touch the marijuana plants due to potential chemical residue on the plants.

- If confronted by a marijuana grower, do not confront them. Leave the area immediately and contact police.

- If possible and safe to do so, record any license plate information and notify police.

- In some cases, outdoor marijuana grows are guarded or protected by booby-traps. If you discovered a crop of marijuana plants, do not enter the grow! For your personal safety, turn around and immediately leave the area the same way you came in and immediately notify police.

The OPP Drug Enforcement Section will once again be out in full force this summer searching for and eradicating marihuana grow operations.

In 2008, the OPP eradicated 108,161 marijuana plants across the province during an eight-week period.

Anyone with information in relation to marijuana grow operations are asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

OPP Drug Enforcement Section

The OPP Drug Enforcement Section (DES) is the provincial lead agency responsible for drug enforcement and expertise in Ontario.

The Drug Enforcement Section provides multi-level enforcement via joint force team undercover projects to suppress the use, production, sale and distribution of illegal drugs.

The OPP DES resides within the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau in the OPP's Investigations & Organized Crime Command.

The OPP DES has 15 offices across Ontario staffed by 78 full-time drug enforcement officers.

The Drug Enforcement Section works in conjunction with municipal police services, OPP regions, as well as national and international agencies to apprehend organized drug traffickers, locally and on a global basis.

DES works closely and shares information with other enforcement units within the OPP, such as the Biker Enforcement Unit, Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit, and various Specialty Teams within the province.

On a yearly basis, the DES, along with the OPP Helicopter Section, conducts a provincial Marihuana Eradication Program in cooperation with local OPP detachments and municipal police services throughout Ontario.

This program identifies and destroys illegal outdoor marijuana growing operations.

In summer and fall 2008, the OPP Drug Enforcement Section carried out its annual Marijuana Eradication Program.

During an eight-week span, officers seized and destroyed 108,161 marijuana plants in various areas of the province.

2008 highlights

- 2,924 investigations conducted

- $270 million in illicit drugs seized

- 2,404 people charged

- 499 marijuana grow operations dismantled (indoor and outdoor)

- 1,419 kilograms of marijuana seized

- 196,050 marijuana plants destroyed (indoor and outdoor)