POLICE PLAN AERIAL ASSAULT OVER DRUGS

A team of police officers, with assistance from the Canadian Forces, have
taken flight in search of outdoor marijuana grow operations on Vancouver
Island.

Mounties worked alongside officers from Saanich and Victoria, with their
goal during the annual project to locate and destroy marijuana grown
outdoors, often on Crown land.

"The location of these outdoor marijuana grow operations poses unique
challenges for our officers," said Const. Darren Lagan from the RCMP's drug
and organized crime awareness service and spokesperson for the operation.

"Through our partnership with the Canadian military, we are able to utilize
their expertise and equipment to gain access to these difficult locations."

According to Lagan, the production of marijuana is directly tied to and
funds organized crime groups through its street level sale in B.C. communities.

Outdoor marijuana production, as seen by police in the past, poses a
significant environmental risk, where streams are diverted and
growth-enhancing chemicals and pesticides are introduced to pristine land.

Garbage is often strewn about post-production sites. "The impact this
illegal activity has on our communities goes beyond its resulting supply of
street-level drugs to include environmental damage and destruction," said
Lagan.

RCMP and Canadian Forces helicopters began their search Aug. 23 for outdoor
grow operations across Vancouver Island, with flights taking off in the morning.