KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ILLICIT CROPS: POLICE

KAWARTHA LAKES - This is the time of year when marijuana harvesters
plant their illicit crop, say police, who are asking rural citizens
to be on the lookout for such activity.

Swamps, corn fields, wooded areas and along rivers are prime areas
for growing pot, according to the OPP Drug Enforcement Section's
Central East Drug Unit.

With an area located, growers bring fertilizer, shovels, chemicals,
pails and the plants which are then maintained for about five months
as they mature.

The heartiness of the plant means it only has to be tended about once
every two weeks, police said, adding that the growers will return in
late September or early October to harvest the plants - leaving the
roots behind.

Marijuana plants, which give off a skunk-like odour, are bright green
in colour and three to five feet tall with leaves featuring seven
jagged fingers.

In 2007, the Central East Drug Unit said it seized more than 40,000
plants from outdoors grows.

ASIDE

Common indicators of outdoor pot grows:

- -Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails

- -People seen walking in remote areas for no apparent reason

- -Bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals found in remote areas

- -Well-trampled trails in secluded areas

- -Cleared out areas in swamps, forests or corn fields

- -'No trespassing' signs appearing out of nowhere

What to do:

- -Call police or Crimestoppers

- -Do not touch the plants because of the possibility of chemicals

- -If confronted, leave the area and record any details - such as
license plates - you can

- -Do not approach a grow because of the low percentage change of it
being guarded or booby trapped

- -source: OPP