(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment responded after being contacted by a concerned resident at a 12th Concession Road, North Walsingham, Norfolk County, Ontario address.
On Monday, October 28, 2013 at approximately 4:47 p.m., police were contacted by a concerned citizen after they observed two males exiting a corn field with various garbage bags. Officer attended the area and 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 corn field and planted several suspected Marihuana plants. Police subsequently located and removed approximately 9 plants. 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.
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.