Police urge residents to keep an eye out for grow-ops

he Durham Regional Police Service is urging North Durham residents to keep an eye out for outdoor marijuana grow-ops.

While officers believe there has been a decrease in such operations this summer, the rural environment of Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge makes those communities prime real estate for drug cultivation.

"There's so many fields in North Durham, including many where there isn't a lot of traffic," said Staff Sergeant Al Mack of the force's Air Support Unit.

"Sometimes, the people growing the drugs can go completely unnoticed, which is what attracts them."

This week, Air-1 helicopter directed drug enforcement officers into a wooded area near Old Simcoe Road and Whitfield Road in Scugog. Officers recovered 500 marijuana plants in various stages of growth with an approximate street value of more than $500,000.

"Some were approaching six-feet in size," Staff Sgt. Mack said.

"This bust brings us well over the $2 million mark in the amount of marijuana seized this year in North Durham. We're annoying a lot of bad guys."

There have been four grow-ops found within the borders of Brock Township this summer, with the largest being more than 1,400, foot-high plants found in a wooded area on Concession 4 (Thorah) on June 11. Grown to maturation, that crop would have had an estimated street value of more than $1 million.

Two smaller crops - totaling 37 plants - were found in the Manilla area in July with the latest bust coming Aug. 9 south of Cannington.

A total of 50 plants were seized and destroyed by police after they were discovered in a field in the area of Concession 9 and Sideroad 17.

As part of its regular patrols, the Air Support Unit watches for areas of illegal drug cultivation. They are usually found on isolated, rural properties and are often being grown without the knowledge or consent of the landowner.

"We're just getting into the season," Staff Sgt. Mack explained.

"We're spending a lot of time patrolling North Durham and looking for pot crops."

Citizens with large rural properties are asked to report suspicious activities to police.
If a resident notices signs of unusual pedestrian or off-road vehicle traffic or anything that seems suspicious, they are urged not to approach the area or the people in question