POLICE ASK PUBLIC TO KEEP EYES OPEN FOR POT FARMS

It's time for spring planting and among the crops grown in this area
is illegal marijuana plants.

The OPP have issued a plea for the public to watch for and report
marijuana farms, but to be careful, too, if you spot one.

"Do not approach an outdoor grow due to (some) ... being booby
trapped or guarded," stated a release from the drug enforcement
section, central east drug unit, Northumberland OPP. "If confronted
by a marijuana grower, just leave the area, record any licence plates
... Call police or Crime Stoppers if you suspect or locate a
marijuana grow operation."

Police said prime growing areas are swamps, corn fields, wooded areas
and along rivers.

Once an area is located, growers will bring in large bags of
fertilizer, shovels, chemicals, pails and the plants, which mature in
about five months, police said. The plants are bright green in colour
with seven jagged fingers on the leaves. They grow between three and
five feet in height and give off an odour similar to that of a skunk,
police said.

Indicators of a marijuana farm in an area are abandoned vehicles
parked on side roads or trails, people walking in remote areas, the
fertilizers/shovels/chemicals, well trampled trails in wooded or
swampy areas and cornfields, cleared ground in those areas, and
numerous no-trespassing signs, police said.

In 2007, the central drug unit seized more than 40,000 plants from
outdoor growing operations.