A GROWING CONCERN

Police Hope New Pamphlet Will Give Neighbours Clues On Home-Grow Marijuana
Operations

COBOURG- The creation of illegal home-grow marijuana operations are on the
rise and local police forces and utilities have united to help shut the
door on their growth through a detection pamphlet. 'Marijuana Home Grow
Operations- What You Need to Know' is a pamphlet which highlights 10
possible indicators for residents to consider if they see suspected
marijuana home-grow operations.

"In the last three to four years there has been an increase in the number
of grow homes in the area," says Cobourg Detective Constable Brad Manning.
"They are more prevalent in Mississauga and York Region but the trend is
coming here."

Cobourg, Port Hope, Peterborough Lakefield and Ontario Provincial Police
forces collaborated with Lakefront Utilities, Veridian Corporation and
Peterborough Utilities to create and publish approximately 60,000 pamphlets.

"We got involved because grow homes steal power and the rest of us are
paying for it," says Bruce Craig, Lakefront Utilities president. "They are
becoming more and more common in Northumberland and are becoming more
sophisticated."

Northumberland and Peterborough police services dismantled over 15 home
grow operations last year, seizing $8 million worth of marijuana. The
pamphlet reveals that a home-grow operation can generate up to $1 million
in tax-free revenue, "which finances various organized criminal activities."

The pamphlet also states significant structural changes are made to supply
light, water and ventilation to the plants, making the house uninhabitable
for future residents without major repairs.

The pamphlets have helped generate tips from the public in other police
jurisdictions, says Det. Const. Manning.

Some things to look out for are: garbage bags containing used soil and
plant material are discarded in surrounding areas, hydro meters are
tampered with and equipment such as large fans, plastic plant containers
and soil are carried in at odd hours. "We are not looking for vigilantes so
if people suspect something they should call us and let us investigate,"
says Det. Const. Manning.

The pamphlets are available at the local utilities and at the Cobourg, Port
Hope, Northumberland OPP and Peterborough-Lakefield police service offices.
If anyone has any information about home grow or other drug activity call
Cobourg Police at 905-372-2243 or Crime Stoppers at -800-222-8477.