GROW-OPS CREATE MORE VIOLENCE

And Dramatic Increase In Pot Crop Protection, Say Cops

Cornwall - An increasing level of violence surrounding marijuana grow
operations across Ontario - including S, D and G - is causing concern
for the safety of police officers and the community.

OPP said it has noticed a drastic increase in the number marijuana
crops being protected by armed individuals and booby traps.

On the flipside, there are other individuals - known as "pot pirates"
- - who will go to all extremes to steal marijuana crops, police said.

In recent marijuana grow operation takedowns, police have seized
everything from machine guns and assault rifles to detonator cords and
blasting caps.

"It's quite shocking, actually," said OPP Sgt. Kristine
Rae.

Rae said six or seven years ago, criminals would use houses for their
marijuana crops, but they're now buying farm properties since they
present more lucrative business opportunities.

Criminals used to set up fishing hooks as traps to protect their
crops, Rae said. Now, they use traps that are "meant to cause serious
damage."

Increased violence

The increased violence surrounding marijuana crops hit home in
September with a triple shooting at a grow-operation in Greenfield,
near Maxville.

Patrick Lavoie, 33, of Montreal, was killed and two others were
seriously injured in the shootout on a rural property. Several people
were charged in connection with the incident, and the matter is still
before the courts.

"That's just one example of the violence that's happened," Rae
said.

Rae said there are other recent examples.

In Portland, north of Kingston, a man was shot in connection with a
grow operation.

In the small community of Carnarvon, east of Bracebridge, 20 people
were arrested at a grow-operation, including some armed with handguns
and bullet-proof vests.

So far this year, the OPP have investigated 450 indoor and outdoor
marijuana grow operations and have destroyed 138,993 marijuana plants.