FARMERS ASKED TO HELP HURON OPP FIND MARIJUANA OPERATIONS

Huron OPP are asking farmers for their help once again to help find illegal
outdoor marijuana growing operations.

They received their first call of the season June 13 when a citizen found
over 20 plants off of Cardiff Road in Morris-Turnberry near a river. The
illegal marijuana will be ready to harvest by late August, early September.

Police are asking farmers to report any suspicious activities they may see
around the farm.

There are several areas where the growers will plant their seedlings during
the spring months. One technique that is commonly used is uprooting a corn
plant and replacing it with marihuana seedlings every five to 10 feet.

Growers may also remove an entire plot of corn and replace it with the
seedlings. The corn gives the marihuana plant excellent cover and makes
detection very difficult.

Other areas where plants have been located are along fences, creek beds,
streams, and rivers and in areas of bushy trees.

The marijuana plant can grow to a height of six feet, requires a moist
environment, and is usually planted on the south side of the field.

Once seedlings are planted they require maintenance and water on a regular
basis so growers will frequently trespass on the farm property.

Farmers should look for footprints along the edges of crops, unattended
vehicles along the roadside, discarded seed trays or fertilizers, hidden
tools,

Once the plants are stable the offender may not return until they are
harvested.

Huron OPP Sr. Const. Don Shropshall recommends that, "at no point should the
farmer approach the individual. Our main concern is the public's safety -
then the marijuana."

Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime
Stoppers.