August 10, 2006

East Lansing - Colonel Peter C. Munoz, director of the Michigan Department of State Police (MSP), announced that 7,417 marijuana plants have been eradicated so far this year as part of Operation HEMP (Help Eliminate Marijuana Planting), which is Michigan’s Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program. Operation HEMP is a cooperative law enforcement initiative aimed at locating and seizing marijuana plants grown outdoors and in greenhouse operations across the state.

Of the 7,417 plants located so far this year, 4,766 were found growing indoors and 2,651 were growing outdoors. Last year, officers working as part of Operation HEMP located and destroyed more than 30,000 marijuana plants in total.

“Michigan is a popular state for illegal marijuana growing because of its fertile land and remote areas,” stated Munoz. “Marijuana plants are commonly cultivated in farm fields, backyards, natural forest openings, along drainage ditches, and the shores of lakes, rivers, streams and swamps. Marijuana plants have been found growing from the Indiana border to Lake Superior, which means property owners across Michigan should be on the lookout for any suspicious persons or activity that may indicate illegal planting.”

Often times to avoid apprehension and forfeiture of property, growers plant marijuana on public land or on the property of others.

Indicators of outdoor grow operations include unusual amounts of traffic on and off of the property; use of camping equipment or recreational vehicles on wooded property with no evidence of recreational activities; persons with little or no farming experience who purchase fertilizer, plastic PVC piping, chicken wire, camouflage netting and clothing; large amounts of PVC piping or irrigation hoses located in heavily wooded areas; and heavily patrolled or guarded woods, swamps and other remote areas.

Marijuana is an annual plant sown from green or brown colored seeds, which can grow to a height of 2 to 20 feet. Each main leaf stem has five to nine leaflets. Leaves may vary in number on the same plant, but are commonly odd-numbered with a saw-toothed edge. The upper surface of the leaves are normally dark green and the under surface is light green.

Indicators of possible indoor grow operations include buildings or greenhouses where structures normally would not be; sealed or covered doors and windows; excessive use of ventilation and air conditioning systems; existence of generators, large tanks or supplies of water, portable heaters, extension cords, heat lamps and fans.

To report a suspected marijuana growing site, call 1-800-235-HEMP (4367). Callers can remain anonymous. Individuals should not attempt to take action themselves, but should report the site as soon as possible.

Operation HEMP targets indoor grow operations year-round, but uses aerial surveillance to locate outdoor grow operations during the summer months. Operation HEMP is funded through a grant from the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.