POLICE TAKE FLIGHT ON 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," noted 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.