RCMP SEEK RURAL HELP SPOTTING GROW OPS

RCMP want people living in rural Manitoba to be their eyes and ears
in the coming days as marijuana growers have by now planted their
illegal crops.

"We're asking rural people to do what they do best -- be good
neighbours," RCMP drug section Staff Sgt. John Fleming said yesterday.

"If they have a suspicious something is going on I'm willing to bet
part of my paycheque something is going on. If you suspect something,
drop in at your local detachment," he said.

They can also call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-782-8477.

Residents should also be on the look-out for out-of-the-ordinary
activity, like unfamiliar vehicles showing up at recently purchased
farms for short periods of time and at all hours.

The Mountie's request comes after record seizures last year in which
officers pulled more than 30,000 marijuana plants from outdoor grow
operations at about a half-dozen isolated farm properties in southern Manitoba.