POT-SPOTTERS EARN $26,050 FOR REPORTING GROW HOUSES

But Less Than Half Collect From Crime Stoppers

Anonymous tipsters are turning in more pot growers, earning -- if not
taking -- record-setting payments for spotting and reporting marijuana
grow houses.

Crime Stoppers approved $26,050 in reward money to Calgarians who
called last year with grow-op tips that panned out. That's an $8,550
increase from 2003 and more than half of the overall $49,500 total
authorized.

Officials said the public realizes the danger of marijuana grow
operations and is using Crime Stoppers' anonymous phone line.

"A lot of people don't want to get involved because, let's face it,
it's organized crime," said Crime Stoppers' police liaison Det. Scott
Page. "(Crime Stoppers) has been very effective because it's an easy
place to report crime."

Despite cash rewards of up to $2,000, only $12,450 of the approved
payouts were claimed by tipsters.

Many people, said Calgary Crime Stoppers Association president Grant
Hardman, are just happy to do their civic duty by reporting crimes,
especially marijuana grow operations.

"I think the community as a whole are aware of what to look for," said
Hardman. "I wouldn't say the money is the sole motivating factor."

Tips have steadily increased over the past two years due to aggressive
public awareness campaigns by police and local politicians.

The Southern Alberta Marijuana Investigative Team received more than
900 tips last year in connection with grow ops, with the majority
coming in through Crime Stoppers. Another 427 tips were taken in 2003.

"A large portion of the success we have in (raiding) grow ops is done
by working collaboratively with Crime Stoppers," said Staff Sgt.
Trevor Daroux of the Calgary police drug unit.

The seizure of pot plants in 2004 totalled well over 81,000, worth
more than $100 million on the street.

In November, several community groups teamed with Calgary police to
create the Stop Marijuana Grow Operations steering committee.

Police are distributing thousands of pamphlets to residents on how to
spot drug factories. The literature, including material on
methamphetamine and marijuana grow ops, will be distributed with Enmax
bills.