OPP across Ontario are appealing to the public to help them root out illegal outdoor marijuana patches in rural areas.
The advisory extends to farmers with large properties and to people out hiking, biking or operating all-terrain vehicles in isolated areas.
Huron OPP Constable JoAnna Van Mierlo says this is planting season and not just for farmers.
Van Mierlo says this is also prime-time for marijuana planting and police are asking rural property owners to keep their eyes open to anything that may not seem quite right on their land.
Van Mierlo says a marijuana grow can often give itself away.
She says to be alert to the movement of suspicious vehicles or people in isolated areas.
Van Mierlo says bags of fertilizer are often left in areas where marijuana has been planted, and that grows are usually located near water sources for irrigation.
Van Mierlo says if you do stumble across a marijuana patch not to take action yourself.
Van Mierlo says if anyone is there it could result in an unpleasant confrontation.
She says often marijuana grows are booby-trapped with the intent to cause personal injury if you try to enter the area.
Van Mierlo says if you do discover a suspected outdoor pot patch you should call police immediately and they’ll take care of the rest.
