POT SEIZED IN GROW-OP RAIDS

STELLARTON - Police are calling it the largest marijuana drug bust in
Pictou County this year.

Roughly 35 police officers raided dozens of marijuana grow operations
Monday. The operation began at 7 a.m. and by late that evening police
had seized hundreds of pot plants, most of which were in the senior
stage of growth.

"We found dozens of concealed marijuana grow sites throughout Pictou
County; most were way back in the woods and could only be seen by
helicopter," says Sgt. Law Power, Pictou County District RCMP.

Power says the operation was the result of months of co-operation
between the municipal police services and RCMP.

"This operation was very important because marijuana leads to harder
drugs," he says. "What we are seeing now are dealers sprinkling their
marijuana with harder drugs like meth in an effort to get the users
hooked.

"I believe these drugs were headed for the streets of Pictou County,
which is why it was crucial to get them before they got into the hands
of kids."

No suspects were taken into custody during the raids.

The operation was an effort by Pictou County District RCMP, Pictou
County District RCMP Street Crime Unit, Pictou County Regional
Municipal Street Crime Unit, Westville Police Service, Trenton Police
Service, New Glasgow Police Service, Stellarton Police Service, with
assistance from Truro Police Service.