Pubdate: Fri, 22 Aug 2014
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Page: A1
Copyright: 2014 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Jim Bronskill

MOUNTIES AND MILITARY SPEND MILLIONS ON WEEDING OUT ILLICIT MARIJUANA HARVEST

The RCMP and Canadian military have spent nearly $11.5 million in the
last eight years on a national search-and-destroy mission for illicit
marijuana crops.

Federal figures show the annual Mountie-led effort, known as Operation
Sabot, has led to tens of thousands of pot plants being weeded out
each year.

Liberal defence critic Joyce Murray, who uncovered the data, said she
was "stunned" to see the amount spent on the project - especially when
many are calling the war on drugs a failure. The RCMP says the goal is
to target outdoor marijuana growers and reduce the supply of pot
available in Canadian communities.

"The success of Operation Sabot means that less marijuana is available
for sale in our communities," said RCMP Sgt. Greg Cox, a spokesperson
for the national police.

"These drugs could ultimately have been sold to youth and adults
alike, and the profits used to finance organized crime."

Last year, the military spent more than $361,000 on helicopter support
for the operation, which resulted in eradication of more than 40,600
plants.

The military put more than $2.5 million toward the project in 2009 -
the highest annual tally among the figures disclosed to Murray through
a parliamentary order paper question. That year 145,480 plants were
destroyed.

Operation Sabot has taken place annually since 1989, according to
information on the Defence Department website. However, the numbers
tabled in Parliament date only from 2006.

Over the years, as many as seven Armed Forces helicopters, three
ground vehicles and 60 military personnel have helped with the operation.

The total cost of well over $11.4 million for 2006 through 2013
includes only military air support. Other military and RCMP
expenditures could not be easily calculated.

The Defence Department indicates that efforts focused on Ontario and
Quebec last year.

Cox declined to say when - or in which provinces - this year's
operation would take place. But he said the Mounties remain committed
to working with the military on the anti-pot mission.

Murray questioned the exercise's value, arguing the best way to tame
the criminal marijuana trade is government regulation of the drug, as
two American states - Colorado and Washington - have done.

"I think it's inevitable we'll go that direction," she said in an
interview.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has advocated legalizing marijuana,
placing it under government regulation, as a means of safely
controlling access to the drug.

The Conservative government says it has no intention of
decriminalizing marijuana. However, Justice Minister Peter MacKay said
this week the government is still assessing whether to allow police to
ticket people caught with small amounts of pot instead of pursuing
charges.

The fact the Tories are pondering the option is telling, Murray
said.

"I think that they're also recognizing that prohibition just hasn't
worked."  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D