IS YOUR NEIGHBOUR GROWING MARIJUANA?

Crime Stoppers Offers Tips For Spotting Houses Set Up For Cultivation

Marijuana cultivation in Perth County is a big business.

Crime Stoppers fields more calls concerning drug-related crimes than any
other offence, said Crime Stoppers co-ordinator Paul McComb.

In 2000, 18 calls were made to the phone line concerning drug cultivation.
So far this year, 16 calls were related to drug cultivation. Of those 16
calls, two have led to charges, Mr. McComb said.

Marijuana plants are often found growing undetected in Perth County corn
fields. However, Mr. McComb said the number of Perth County residents
growing drugs in their own homes is increasing.

"It's happening more in the city (of Stratford) because of the bigger
population base," he said. "Their market is the city."

And in cities like Stratford - or more frequently Kitchener-Waterloo and
London - it is easier to hide a growing operation than in a small community.

"Selling a bag of marijuana in Sebringville is not going to work," Mr.
McComb said from his Sebringville office.

But the problem is not just confined to large cities.

In 1998, a Crime Stoppers tip led to a raid on a farm in Fullarton
Township. Officers found 1,150 marijuana plants worth a street value of
$292,000. Marijuana-growing equipment totaled an additional $10,000.

Sebringville OPP participated in a drug raid on July 26 on a Holmes Street
residence in Newton. Police seized marijuana plants with a street value of
$295,404 and growing equipment and cash worth $39,115. Three people were
arrested and charged with production of cannabis marijuana and possession
for the purpose of trafficking.

In rare cases, marijuana growers will use a house solely for drug
cultivation. However, most of the time, growers use their own residence,
keeping the plants in a room or basement, Mr. McComb said.

Crime Stoppers is asking the public to watch for possible "drug houses" in
their community.

Some of the telltale signs a house is being used for drug cultivation are:

* the homeowner is never home during the day.

* the homeowner arrives late in the afternoon and is gone before morning.

* the homeowner drives different vehicles.

* blinds on the windows are always closed.

* power vents are added to the roof to vent the odour of marijuana.

* the roof is clear of snow during the winter because of the heat of the
lamps used for growing marijuana.

* jack-hammers can be heard in the house. This is because the homeowner may
modify the house to create more room for growing.

* basement windows are blocked or blacked out to conceal the bright lamps
during the evening hours.

* there is no outdoor activity around the house.

* the homeowner is not involved in the community.

If a person is suspicious about a house, but is unsure whether the house is
being used for drug cultivation, Mr. McComb has one word. "Call."

"Let us decide. Take the decision off your shoulders and put it onto ours,"
he said without hesitation.

And for those people who are wary about calling police or identifying
themselves, Crime Stoppers is the best route, he said.

Crime Stoppers calls are anonymous and some tipsters are eligible for cash
rewards. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1-800-222-TIPS.

To respond to this story contact our City Editor, Larke Turnbull or our
Editorial Page Editor, Diana Loveless.