Pubdate: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2004, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332 Author: Jeremy Ashley Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) MAJOR MARIJUANA OPERATION BUSTED NORTH OF STIRLING SPRINGBROOK -- With some plants towering over two metres, police investigators had no problem determining a $10-million marijuana growing operation north of Stirling was well-established. Friday morning, officers with Project Longarm were busy uprooting about 10,000 marijuana plants -- with an estimated street value of $10 million -- found in a field located at 3183 Springbrook Rd. Dedicated to drug enforcement, Project Longarm involves officers from the Belleville police service, who work with other dedicated members of surrounding provincial police detachments. "Yes, I would have to say it appears initially that they've been growing there for some time," Central Hastings OPP detachment commander Peter Valiquette said, yesterday morning. Details of how police came to know of the outdoor growing operation were not immediately available as investigators had to wait for an interpreter to properly interview two men in custody. "Essentially police received information about this through an investigation. There are two people in custody at this time and both are charged with production of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking." There was minimal growing equipment seized, Valiquette said, because the majority of plants were grown outside. "It's not like a hydro grow, it was simply Mother Nature doing her best to perpetuate the growth of the plants." A team of close to 20 officers from a number of area departments -- including Stirling Rawdon and Belleville police services -- attended the scene Friday to help with the cultivation of the plants, which will be destroyed at an undisclosed location. "They (officers) said they haven't come across a grow like this in a while," Valiquette said. Additional details of the arrest, including the names and places of origin of the two arrested, are expected to be released by police over the weekend. "One of the important messages that need to come out of a seizure such as this is what good work (Project) Longarm is doing for us. We're very proud of their accomplishments." The Springbrook Road seizure wrapped up what was a busy week for officers involved with Project Longarm. Tuesday, Longarm officers pulled over a vehicle on Highway 401 about a kilometre west of Trenton with the assistance of Quinte West OPP. A search of the vehicle turned up a pound of cocaine worth about $30,000, police report. Two males were arrested and charged with trafficking and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. No names were released as an investigation into the incident continues. Later in the day, Project Longarm officers executed a search warrant at 107 Mill St. in Consecon. Police shut down a marijuana growing operation and seized a small quantity of marijuana, cash and a .22-calibre rifle that "was found to be unsafely stored." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D