GONE TO POT

Over the past several weeks Halton Police officers have been beating
the bushes-literally.

Officers were busy uncovering nearly a dozen rural marijuana grow
operations (along with a few residential ones) in a sweep that netted
1,500 plants worth an estimated street value of $2 million.

Five people from south Halton were charged.

According to Det. Sgt. Nishan Duraiappah of Halton Police Drugs and
Morality Unit most of the rural grow ops were of a "third-party basis".

"They (those running the illegal operation) would, for example,
trespass on a large rural property owned by a farmer or a real estate
development," said Duraiappah.

Most property owners would be unaware of the grow operations on their land.

The largest grow op in Halton Hills was 150 to 200 plants found at
Trafalgar Rd. and 27 Sideroad.

Halton Police say marijuana grow operations pose a safety risk to
both the public and police officers and over the coming weeks growers
will be returning to their crops to harvest them.

They offer tips to the public if they find a grow operation:

. Don't touch the marijuana plants due to possible chemicals on them.

. If confronted by a marijuana grower, just leave the area, record
any licence plates and call police.

. Do not approach an outdoor grow, due to the low percentage of grows
being booby-trapped or guarded.

If you discover an outdoor marijuana operation call Halton Police at
905-878-5511 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) by texting
SMS#CRIMES (274637) or visiting www.haltoncrimestoppers.com.