Pubdate: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON) Copyright: 2006 Osprey Media Group Inc Contact: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169 Author: Kevin Lajoie GROW-OPS CREATE MORE VIOLENCE And Dramatic Increase In Pot Crop Protection, Say Cops Cornwall - An increasing level of violence surrounding marijuana grow operations across Ontario - including S, D and G - is causing concern for the safety of police officers and the community. OPP said it has noticed a drastic increase in the number marijuana crops being protected by armed individuals and booby traps. On the flipside, there are other individuals - known as "pot pirates" - - who will go to all extremes to steal marijuana crops, police said. In recent marijuana grow operation takedowns, police have seized everything from machine guns and assault rifles to detonator cords and blasting caps. "It's quite shocking, actually," said OPP Sgt. Kristine Rae. Rae said six or seven years ago, criminals would use houses for their marijuana crops, but they're now buying farm properties since they present more lucrative business opportunities. Criminals used to set up fishing hooks as traps to protect their crops, Rae said. Now, they use traps that are "meant to cause serious damage." Increased violence The increased violence surrounding marijuana crops hit home in September with a triple shooting at a grow-operation in Greenfield, near Maxville. Patrick Lavoie, 33, of Montreal, was killed and two others were seriously injured in the shootout on a rural property. Several people were charged in connection with the incident, and the matter is still before the courts. "That's just one example of the violence that's happened," Rae said. Rae said there are other recent examples. In Portland, north of Kingston, a man was shot in connection with a grow operation. In the small community of Carnarvon, east of Bracebridge, 20 people were arrested at a grow-operation, including some armed with handguns and bullet-proof vests. So far this year, the OPP have investigated 450 indoor and outdoor marijuana grow operations and have destroyed 138,993 marijuana plants. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek