Police Try to Spot the Pot

Thursday, 23 August 2012 07:34

You might start to notice police helicopters surveying rural areas. Police are on the lookout for illegal outdoor marijuana grow-ops, which are often planted in corn fields and bush lots. While police will be looking out for pot plants in the sky, they're asking the public on the ground to be their eyes, as well. They say look for suspicious vehicles or people alongside fields, and report the information to police. However, Oxford OPP Constable Michelle Murphy warns the public not to investigate for yourself. She says growers have been known to set booby-traps around their crops. "This is obviously a money-making venture for these people, so they want to protect it the best they can. That's why we ask the public to just make good notes, and use common sense. Let us know, and we have the properly trained personnel to go into these areas." Here's a full list of tips from the OPP on what to watch out for, and what to avoid: Common indicators of outdoor marihuana grow operations include: 1. Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails. 2. People observed walking in remote areas for no apparent reason. 3. Bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals located in remote areas. 4. Well-trampled trails in wooded or swamp areas. 5. Cleared out areas in swamps, wooded areas or corn fields. 6. Recent posting of ?No Trespassing? signs. Public Safety Tips If you discover or suspect an outdoor marihuana grow operation: 1. As soon as possible, call your local police or Crime Stoppers. 2. Do not touch the marihuana plants due to potential chemical residue on the plants. 3. If confronted by a marihuana grower, leave the area immediately and contact police. 4. If possible and safe to do so, record any license plate or GPS information and notify police. 5. In some cases, outdoor marihuana grows are guarded or protected by booby- traps. If you discovered a crop of marihuana plants, do not enter the area! For your personal safety, turn around and immediately leave the area the same way you came in. If you have any information regarding illegal marihuana grow ops, contact your local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).