GROW-OPS ABOUND: COPS

KINGSVILLE - Police say criminals in Essex County are targeting
relatively new, fairly upscale houses for marijuana-growing operations.

The warning comes in the wake of a major drug bust over the weekend.

Recently built homes have upgraded wiring and frequently have
connected garages with front access that permit clandestine entry and exit.

That, coupled with the fact that residents in newer neighbourhoods
usually don't know each other well, can allow a grow-op to flourish.

But police said Wednesday that alert residents can make a difference.

"It was a Crime Stoppers tip that led to this investigation," said
OPP Const. Janet Hayes, adding that the marijuana had a potential
street value of $500,000.

Police suggested that residents keep an eye out for:

- - Darkened windows.

- - People in different vehicles coming and going at odd times of the
day or night.

- - Electrical services that appear to have been tampered with.

"We get a lot of information ... about houses that aren't being kept
up," said Crime Stoppers co-ordinator Const. Dave Ferris.

"Sometimes you'll get them right in the middle of a subdivision and
people living in that area don't even know about it."

The bust was conducted by Kingsville OPP and drug unit officers at
838 Cottage Grove Rd., a street built within the last few years, said
a neighbour who didn't want to be identified.

The neighbour was "freaked out" by what happened and said no one
seemed to have had any idea about what was going on.

CHARGED

[Name redacted], 38, of Leamington was arrested for production and
possession of marijuana for trafficking Saturday and now faces
additional counts of causing damage to a dwelling and theft of
electricity over $5,000.