MAJOR MARIJUANA OPERATION BUSTED NORTH OF STIRLING

SPRINGBROOK -- With some plants towering over two metres, police
investigators had no problem determining a $10-million marijuana growing
operation north of Stirling was well-established.

Friday morning, officers with Project Longarm were busy uprooting about
10,000 marijuana plants -- with an estimated street value of $10 million --
found in a field located at 3183 Springbrook Rd.

Dedicated to drug enforcement, Project Longarm involves officers from the
Belleville police service, who work with other dedicated members of
surrounding provincial police detachments.

"Yes, I would have to say it appears initially that they've been growing
there for some time," Central Hastings OPP detachment commander Peter
Valiquette said, yesterday morning.

Details of how police came to know of the outdoor growing operation were
not immediately available as investigators had to wait for an interpreter
to properly interview two men in custody.

"Essentially police received information about this through an
investigation. There are two people in custody at this time and both are
charged with production of a controlled substance and possession of a
controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking."

There was minimal growing equipment seized, Valiquette said, because the
majority of plants were grown outside.

"It's not like a hydro grow, it was simply Mother Nature doing her best to
perpetuate the growth of the plants."

A team of close to 20 officers from a number of area departments --
including Stirling Rawdon and Belleville police services -- attended the
scene Friday to help with the cultivation of the plants, which will be
destroyed at an undisclosed location.

"They (officers) said they haven't come across a grow like this in a
while," Valiquette said.

Additional details of the arrest, including the names and places of origin
of the two arrested, are expected to be released by police over the weekend.

"One of the important messages that need to come out of a seizure such as
this is what good work (Project) Longarm is doing for us. We're very proud
of their accomplishments."

The Springbrook Road seizure wrapped up what was a busy week for officers
involved with Project Longarm.

Tuesday, Longarm officers pulled over a vehicle on Highway 401 about a
kilometre west of Trenton with the assistance of Quinte West OPP.

A search of the vehicle turned up a pound of cocaine worth about $30,000,
police report.

Two males were arrested and charged with trafficking and possession of a
controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. No names were released
as an investigation into the incident continues.

Later in the day, Project Longarm officers executed a search warrant at 107
Mill St. in Consecon.

Police shut down a marijuana growing operation and seized a small quantity
of marijuana, cash and a .22-calibre rifle that "was found to be unsafely
stored."