MARIJUANA CROP IN FARM FIELD SURPRISES FARMER

A North Dumfries area farmer was surprised to learn Thursday that his
field was home to a crop of marijuana plants.

The patch of 72 plants was growing amidst some corn near Trussler
Road, and was spotted by a man working on a hydro pole, who called
police.

Police questioned the farmer, but determined he had no idea his field
was being used to grow pot plants, said Staff Sgt. Tom Schroeder of
Waterloo regional police.

Police removed the marijuana plants from the field and destroyed them.
No charges were laid.

Schroeder said it is difficult to catch suspects in such cases,
because they usually spend very little time at the site until the
plants are ready to be harvested.

Cornfields are popular spots for illegal pot grows because the stalks
block views of the marijuana plants. Each autumn police use a
helicopter to get a bird's eye view of such operations, Schroeder said.