GROWERS GET TOUGH WITH "POT PIRATES"

The recent shooting death of a man near Greenfield is an example of
the violence people will resort to in order to protect lucrative
marijuana growing operations, says the Ontario Provincial Police.

During the past year, violence, weapons, traps and death have become
the buzz words when officers discuss marijuana grow operations in the
province. The OPP has investigated 450 marihuana grows so far this
year and has destroyed 138,993 marijuana plants.

Police officers have noticed a drastic increase in marijuana crops
being protected from "pot pirates" by individuals who are armed with
weapons, including high powered firearms and booby traps.

With marijuana production being a multi-billion dollar business, there
are groups who will go to all extremes to protect their venture, but
there are also groups that will go to all extremes to steal the
marijuana as well, police point out.

The "alarming" number of weapons that OPP officers have seized and the
number of elaborate booby traps that officers need to evade have
caused grave concern for the safety of officers and the public.
"Community and officer safety is the paramount consideration in all
aspects of drug investigations," said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino.
"The OPP is committed to educating young people and our community
partners about the dangers of illicit drugs and drug production labs.
These labs must be aggressively investigated and shut down as an
alarming number of people have been injured in relation to these
illegal operations in recent years."

In the September 15 shooting on Kenyon Concession 5, west of
Greenfield, Patrick Lavoie, 33, of Montreal, was fatally wounded while
two others were shot. Police have charged (redacted), 29, of
Montreal, with armed robbery. (redacted), 31, of Rigaud, is charged
with possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a prohibited
device, production of marijuana and possession for the purpose of
trafficking. (redacted), 21, of Montreal, is charged with
possession for the purpose of trafficking and production of marijuana.

During investigations of marijuana operations, police officers have
seized every weapon imaginable, from machine guns and assault rifles
to detonator cord and blasting caps.

The public is urged to "help protect your community and the officers
who have sworn to protect you. Report all suspicious activity to your
local police service or call Crimestoppers." The OPP says: "It takes
police and community working together to create a safe community, a
secure Ontario,"