JOINT FORCE TO COMBAT POT GROW OPS

Cops From Around The Province Have Joined Forces To Combat Marijuana
Grow Operations.

The Calgary Police Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the
Criminal Intelligence Service of Alberta yesterday announced the
formation of a new and permanent joint-forces operation to look for
grow operations in Calgary and RCMP jurisdictions in southern Alberta.

"The Southern Alberta Marijuana Investigative Team, or SAMIT, will use
strategic and eradication investigative strategies to combat marijuana
grow operations," said Calgary police Staff Sgt. Trevor Daroux.

"Grow operations have been identified by police services across the
country as an increasing threat to public health and safety, and a
major contributor to financing organized crime."

Added RCMP Sgt. Val Bouey: "No city, town or community is immune to the
effects of this problem.

"With every grow operation comes the threat of violence and home
invasions, health concerns associated with toxic mould, fire hazards
from electrical bypasses and decreasing property values."

In the past year alone, Strathmore RCMP identified and dismantled 26
grow operations -- the majority in the Chestermere Lake area -- with a
total value of approximately $15 million.

"We have established links between grow operations in the city and
those being found in the communities surrounding Calgary," said
Calgary police Insp. Brian Skeet.

"This partnership will allow for a more strategic approach to
identifying those who control these operations."