News (Media Awareness Project) - CN AB: Marijuana Becoming Popular Summer Crop |
| Title: | CN AB: Marijuana Becoming Popular Summer Crop |
| Published On: | 2008-07-12 |
| Source: | Lethbridge Herald (CN AB) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-07-13 09:17:05 |
MARIJUANA BECOMING POPULAR SUMMER CROP
Although it's more commonly found growing in the thick forests of
B.C., outdoor marijuana grow operations are prevalent throughout
Alberta as well. And with the summer season upon us, local RCMP are
expecting a lot more will be growing in the prairie fields of
southern Alberta than just the usual crops of wheat and canola.
During the course of the summer, it's not uncommon for RCMP
detachments to come across at least two outdoor marijuana grow ops
tucked away in the back of a farmer's field. Over the last few years,
police across the province have seized tens of thousands of plants
and came across a bumper crop in August 2006.
At that time, RCMP seized and burned more than 5,000 marijuana plants
from a dozen rural greenhouses near Evansburg, 90 kilometres west of
Edmonton, making it one of the biggest outdoor busts in Alberta history.
The 12 greenhouses, on two separate sites, were in a remote area
accessible only by a single road and hidden by thick brush from the
main highway.
According to Sgt. Patrick Webb, spokesperson for southern Alberta
RCMP, outdoor marijuana crops are usually grown in or near forests,
near rivers or swamps and in isolated rural areas where the local
population is not likely to discover them.
In southern Alberta, outdoor grow ops are commonly found in a
secluded corner of a farmer's field, which litter the prairie
landscape. The criminals are usually looking for a place that is
secluded, which could also be a park, creek bed, coulee or bush area.
"There are a lot of places to disguise because there are a lot of
acres here, so anything is possible," said Webb, who wasn't sure just
how many outdoor grow ops have been found in southern Alberta. "Some
of these criminals are pretty dedicated in finding a place to put
them."
Police are seeking the assistance of the public to help spot and
report any illicit marijuana crops.
Anyone who does discover a grow operation is recommended to leave the
area and immediately call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Although it's more commonly found growing in the thick forests of
B.C., outdoor marijuana grow operations are prevalent throughout
Alberta as well. And with the summer season upon us, local RCMP are
expecting a lot more will be growing in the prairie fields of
southern Alberta than just the usual crops of wheat and canola.
During the course of the summer, it's not uncommon for RCMP
detachments to come across at least two outdoor marijuana grow ops
tucked away in the back of a farmer's field. Over the last few years,
police across the province have seized tens of thousands of plants
and came across a bumper crop in August 2006.
At that time, RCMP seized and burned more than 5,000 marijuana plants
from a dozen rural greenhouses near Evansburg, 90 kilometres west of
Edmonton, making it one of the biggest outdoor busts in Alberta history.
The 12 greenhouses, on two separate sites, were in a remote area
accessible only by a single road and hidden by thick brush from the
main highway.
According to Sgt. Patrick Webb, spokesperson for southern Alberta
RCMP, outdoor marijuana crops are usually grown in or near forests,
near rivers or swamps and in isolated rural areas where the local
population is not likely to discover them.
In southern Alberta, outdoor grow ops are commonly found in a
secluded corner of a farmer's field, which litter the prairie
landscape. The criminals are usually looking for a place that is
secluded, which could also be a park, creek bed, coulee or bush area.
"There are a lot of places to disguise because there are a lot of
acres here, so anything is possible," said Webb, who wasn't sure just
how many outdoor grow ops have been found in southern Alberta. "Some
of these criminals are pretty dedicated in finding a place to put
them."
Police are seeking the assistance of the public to help spot and
report any illicit marijuana crops.
Anyone who does discover a grow operation is recommended to leave the
area and immediately call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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