POT FARMS SMOKED OUT IN ANNUAL DRUG SWEEP

Mounties Find Marijuana Growing In 20 Sites In Pictou, Antigonish Counties

Truro - At least eight people face drug charges following a police sweep of
marijuana plots in northeastern Nova Scotia.

Air and ground searches in Pictou and Antigonish counties over the past two
weeks yielded about 1,500 marijuana plants, mostly about shoulder height.

The buds were not developed, so harvesting had not begun, Cpl. Jim Duggan of
the RCMP's northeastern drug section said Tuesday.

Police departments in Stellarton, Truro and Trenton joined forces with the drug
squad and the Antigonish and Stellarton RCMP detachments to locate marijuana
growing at 20 sites in the River John and Sutherlands River areas of Pictou
County, and around Black Avon, Arisaig and Meadow Green in Antigonish County.

In what has become an annual investigation, spotters flew over the area between
Aug 3. and 25 watching for signs of grow operations.

"It stands out. It's quite visible," Cpl. Duggan said.

Trails seen from the air help identify the marijuana farmers and eliminate as
suspects innocent landowners whose property may be used for the plantations, he
said.

Police also catch the growers tending their plants.

Names of those charged have not been released, pending court appearances.

Cpl. Duggan said he expects more charges will result from the investigation.