Marijuana harvesting season blooms, police warn

With marijuana harvesting season approaching, the Ontario Provincial Police are asking resident to remain vigilant of the dangers associated with outdoor pot grow-ops.

Typically, marijuana crops will be harvested starting as early as late August up until the beginning of October. During this period, people involved with growing illegal marijuana head into rural areas to continue to care for and harvest, in some cases, very large plots of pot plants, the OPP said in a news release.

Typically, these illicit crops are located in swamps, corn fields, wooded areas, along rivers and on rural, rental properties with large acreage.

The numerous public safety risks include the potential presence of weapons and ammunition found on grow-op sites, and the potential for booby traps, rigged by the criminals growing these plants in an attempt to defend their illegal crops from other criminals known as ‘pot pirates’.

All of these factors could lead to dangerous confrontations for unsuspecting, innocent people — including children — who just happen to be in the area of these illegal crops.

Furthermore, these criminal operations usually involve the unregulated use and disposal of many chemicals and other environmentally damaging products, warns the OPP.

Marijuana grown in Ontario is typically distributed throughout the province and exported to the United States. Stronger drugs, such as cocaine, as well as weapons and cash, often return to Ontario to fuel other criminal enterprises, which further endanger public safety.

Marijuana plants are bright green in colour and grow to between three and five feet in height. Marijuana leaves have seven jagged fingers and the plants give off a strong, pungent, musty odour.

Common indicators of outdoor marijuana grow operations include:
-Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails.
-People observed walking in remote areas for no apparent reason.
-Bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals located in remote areas.
-Well-trampled trails in wooded or swamp areas.
-Cleared-out areas in swamps, wooded areas or corn fields.
-Recent posting of “No Trespassing” signs.

If you discover or suspect an outdoor marijuana grow operation:
-As soon as possible, call your local police or Crime Stoppers.
-Do not touch the marijuana plants due to potential chemical residue on the plants.
-If confronted by a marijuana grower, leave the area immediately and contact police.
-If possible and safe to do so, record any licence plate or GPS information and notify police.
-In some cases, outdoor marijuana grows are guarded or protected by booby-traps. If you discover a crop of marihuana plants, do not enter the area. For your personal safety, turn around and immediately leave the area the same way you came in.

If you have any information regarding illegal marijuana grow ops, contact your local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).