REGIONAL POT BUST SCORES 5,552 PLANTS

Guelph Police were part of a marijuana eradication program that saw
5,552 marijuana plants, weighing approximately 3,140 kilograms
(almost 7,000 pounds), seized and destroyed over a six-day period
this month.

Police forces from Waterloo Region, Guelph, Stratford, Halton, West
Grey, OPP and the Kitchener detachment of the RCMP shared
intelligence, technology and manpower in a joint initiative call
Project Sabot that took place between Sept. 10 and 17.

Sergeant Cam Croal of the RCMP drug section said the plants had a
street value of between $3.5 million and $5 million.

"The intent of the program is to eradicate the drug so it won't get
into the market," Croal said.

"If individuals are there, charges will be laid. But we usually don't
find people."

There was one arrest -- a man in Grey County was charged with
production and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking
in conjunction with the seizure of 1,990 pot plants, Croal said.

"Large-scale marijuana grow operations have been linked to organized
crime and violence," Croal said.

"The marijuana that has been seized will reduce the amount that is
available for sale, and when combined with the ongoing
community-based awareness programs we're involved with, will
contribute to the safety of our respective communities."

This is the time of year when outdoor crops are ready for harvesting,
making them easier to detect. Croal said 535 plants were found in
Wellington County during Project Sabot.

The policing partnership has been very successful, Croal said, "and
the public has been excellent, too. We don't know everything and we
rely on the public to help. We respond to tips any time of the year,"
he said.

Croal encouraged anyone with information about illegal drugs to call
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.