STATE POLICE BOLSTER EFFORTS TO WIPE OUT POT PLANTS

Officials Use Helicopters, Employ Tip Line To Better Target Problem Areas.

As Indiana approaches the height of marijuana harvest season, State Police
say they are being more aggressive than ever in using helicopters, a tip
line and cooperative farmers to locate plants and destroy them.

So far this year, officials have eradicated 6,000 outdoor plants, and
expect to top the 6,990 plants seized in 1999 and 6,287 seized in 2000. The
enforcement efforts include an operation this morning at un undisclosed
location in northeastern Marion County in which 200 plants were taken out
of the ground.

Officials made the announcement at a news conference held at the State
Police hangar adjacent to Indianapolis International Airport.

"To some people, it's not a big deal. We don't make these people criminals,
they are criminals," said Cpl. Mike Crabtree of Fort Wayne, who has led the
local enforcement program since February. The target areas for marijuana
plants range from open cornfields to residences where plants are cultivated.

The numbers are rising in part because of the enforcement. Between Jan. 1
and July 31, 275 arrests were made statewide, a 120 percent increase over
the same period last year.

Seventy-five percent of the marijuana patches are located using air
patrols, said State Police Trooper Harris Smith. Officials have to get a
warrant to get rid of it. People who knowingly grow it can be charged with
a felony, depending upon the amount of crop that is seized.

The tip line number is 1-888-873-1694, and all calls can be made anonymously.