(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment responded after being contacted by a concerned resident to a Port Ryerse Road, Woodhouse, Norfolk County, Ontario address.
On Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at approximately 1:54 p.m., police were contacted by a concerned citizen after they discovered what appeared to be Marihuana in a farmer’s field.
Through investigation it was determined that unknown suspects cleared a section of a farmer’s asparagus field and planted approximately 33 suspected Marihuana plants. Police subsequently located and removed the plants.
Typically, marihuana crops will be harvested starting as early as late August up until the beginning of October. During this period, people involved with growing illegal marihuana head into rural areas to continue to care for and harvest, in some cases, very large plots of marihuana plants. Typically, these illicit crops are located in swamps, corn fields and wooded areas, along rivers and on rural, rental properties with large acreage.
The OPP are reminding residents and visitors of the dangers associated with outdoor marihuana grow-ops. The numerous public safety risks include the potential presence of 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’. 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 wants to highlight is environmental. These criminal operations usually involve the unregulated use and disposal of many chemicals and other environmentally-damaging products.
“Marihuana grows pose a real threat to both public and police safety and the OPP remains strongly committed to work within all of our communities across the province to stem the tide of illicit drugs,” comments Provincial Constable Ed Sanchuk, Norfolk County OPP.
Marihuana 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 a strong, pungent, musty odour. 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.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1 – 888 – 310 – 1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 – 800 – 222 – 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.helpsolvecrime.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
