'OPERATION POT SPOT' TO TAKE TO THE SKIES

HALDIMAND-NORFOLK - Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and
Tillsonburg is calling on all pilots to be an eye in the sky as the
crime fighting program looks to help combat illegal drug crops.

Launched provincially in the mid 1990s and appropriately named
Operation Pot Spot, the initiative appeals to aviation enthusiasts and
encourages them to be observant for suspicious things like illegal
marijuana crops while they are flying over rural areas.

Because the risk of frost is minimal at this time of the year, many
illegal marijuana crops may now be planted outdoors.

From the sky, marijuana plants are bright green, sometimes appear in
clusters, very often have the immediate surrounding area trampled and
can even be grown among legitimate crops such as corn.

"Operation Pot Spot is a timely, provincial initiative that gives a
specific group of people - pilots - the opportunity to help in the
fight against drugs if they happen to see something that they think is
not right," says Gord Little, Chairperson for Crime Stoppers of
Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg.

"When pilots see something that they feel is suspicious, they are
encouraged to record the location through a global positioning system
and then contact Crime Stoppers anonymously."

Marijuana plants are bright green with an odd number of leaves in
clusters, can range in height from six inches to ten feet tall (at
maturity), emit a distinct pungent odor like a skunk and are tacky to
the touch. They can be found near creeks or swamps, on the south side
of fields, along fence lines and in woodlots.

Signs of an illegal marijuana grow operation may also include things
like vehicles parked on the side of roads or trails, people
frequenting remote areas, signs of gardening like fertilizer bags and
planting trays in remote areas and/or trampled or cleared areas in
swamps, woods or fields.

Crime Stoppers cautions individuals to never approach a suspected
marijuana crop in person.

Doing so may be dangerous. Instead, individuals should contact Crime
Stoppers anonymously or call their local police service.

If you have any information about illegal drug activity, or any crime
occurring in your community, contact Crime Stoppers of Haldimand,
Norfolk and Tillsonburg anonymously. Crime Stoppers is a community
based organization that gives people an anonymous, confidential way to
relay information to investigators without ever having to get involved
as a witness.

The program's toll free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) line and online web tips
are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and cash rewards up
to $2000 are offered for information that helps to solve a case.