MARIJUANA GROW-OPS SPRING UP

Crime Stoppers and the Tri-Force Drug Unit want to make the public
aware of an ever-increasing drug problem in the Thunder Bay District.

There is an alarming increase in the amount and size of marijuana grow
operations in the Northwest region. In 2005, the Tri-Force Drug Unit
seized over 17,000 marijuana plants. Groups are becoming more
organized and are setting up large scale operations throughout the
area. The outdoor growing season for marijuana is generally between
May and October.

Crime Stoppers wants to educate the public as to what to look for when
traversing the great outdoors. Grow-ops are being located in hidden
areas on private property or in remote areas of low traffic and that
are hard to access. Marijuana may also be planted on south sides of
fields or along creeks or water sources. Often, new trails will be
formed and there may be inexplicable traffic in an area. A suspicious
real estate transaction may also be the link to the start of a grow-op.

For the summer months, Crime Stoppers has decided to double the reward
normally paid out for information that leads to the discovery of
marijuana grow operations.

If you have any information on marijuana grow-ops, then give Crime
Stoppers a call at 1-800-222-8477 or contact us on our web site at
www.623tips.com. Your call is anonymous and could earn you a cash reward.