Photo submitted to Times Observer The Warren County Drug Task Force is asking people to report suspicious activity, including cultivated plants on public lands.

The marijuana growing season has begun.

The Warren County District Attorney’s Office is asking people who are outside recreating to report suspicious activity.

“When you are out enjoying the Warren County outdoors — walking, jogging, hiking, bicycling, or canoeing — be aware of the foliage around you,” Warren County Detective Brian Zeybel said. “Some of it may be illegal.”

Valuable crops are often protected from browsing and marked to make it easier for the grower to find them.

“Most people do not plant herbs or ornamental shrubbery in the forest, on islands, alongside logging roads or clearings around oil wells, in fencing or ‘tomato cages,'” Zeybel said. “If you discover bright green leafy plants growing within cages, buckets, or similar man-made items and tending grow areas which seem ‘out of place,’ do not touch or remove the plants yourself.”

“Please call the Warren County Drug Task Force at (814) 728-3460, or Warren County Crime Stoppers 1-800-83CRIME or report online by visiting the District Attorney’s website at www.warrencountyda.org.”

The season is already in full swing.

“The Warren County Drug Task Force has already responded and pulled numerous small marijuana plants from grow operations discovered within the county,” Zeybel said.