MARIJUANA GROW OP BUSTS HAVE RYCROFT RESIDENTS CONCERNED

Rycroft residents are worried after their sleepy farming community
started making headlines this summer for a more notorious cash-crop -
marijuana.

Mounties raided a $2.5-million marijuana grow-operation just southeast
of Rycroft on Wednesday, seizing close to 4,000 plants and about 14
kilograms of dried pot.

Less than a month before that police uncovered two indoor grow
operations south of the 600-population town. The July 7 raid snagged
about $300,000 worth of the illegal crop.

And RCMP warned last week they suspect there are more marijuana
grow-ops yet to be discovered around Rycroft.

"Definitely it's kind of a surprising thing," said Rycroft Mayor
Dwayne Krefting. "When they had a couple of small raids I thought it
was unique. But after this most recent raid - close to $2.5 million -
it's getting pretty big now."

Being located about 70 kilometres from the closest city - Grande
Prairie - probably gives drug growers a sense of security, added
Krefting. And the closest police detachment is in nearby Spirit River.

"It's probably an ideal setting for them. Close to a city, but they
think they're in the country enough they won't get detected."

Rycroft Farmers Market manager Ann Toderian said the town has been
buzzing recently about the high-profile drug raids.

But she said the news that Rycroft is home to an underground
pot-cultivating community is no secret to residents.

"We're all talking about it and we're all of the same opinion - it's
about time," said Toderian, who lives south of Rycroft near where the
$2-million raid took place.

"I think they got away with it for too long. I've lived here 10 years
and I don't think marijuana growing is on the increase, I think
they're just starting to find it.

"My husband used to work with a guy who joked he had plants growing on
his window sill."

Taxi driver Rob Clutton said he's worried to know he's been rubbing
elbows for months or possibly years with drug-growing criminals.

"Some of these guys I've met and talked to before and they're quiet.
You wouldn't think they were growing marijuana," he said.

"I have two kids and I'm definitely worried about the amount of drugs
in the area."

Another longtime Rycroft resident, who declined to give her name, said
she knew all of the people arrested after last week's raid, but is
still worried about the influx of drugs in her town.

"It's sad when you do know the people growing them," she said.

"It does concern me. This is bad, it was a big operation. When they're
all coming here it's kind of scary. And drugs bring other things.
Crime has risen around Rycroft and the area."

There is a silver lining to the town's rising pot-profile, however.
With all of the successful raids by the combined RCMP-Edmonton Police
Services 'Green Team', growers might think twice about trying to set
up shop in the Central Peace, said Krefting.

"I'm hoping with all of these guys getting caught, they'll think it's
not a good place to set up."