Macedon Police Chief, John Ellis in the passenger seat awaits takeoff with pilot, Gordon Merkel from Ram-Air Skyways

Last year, the Macedon Police discovered large marijuana-growing operations in the swampy areas just off the CSX rail lines and near the Erie Canal areas.
Finding the sophisticated operations among the heavy growth was a challenge. Going hip deep in water and mud also posed problems. In the end, Macedon Police uprooted 700 of the illegal plants before harvest. Still, they knew that much of the crop eluded their search.
In an effort to thwart marijuana growers in Macedon, Officer John Colella, utilizing grant monies, beckoned the help of local powered parachute pilots to seek out well-hidden patches of marijuana in corn fields, wooded and swampy areas.
The added rains of the summer made traipsing through the swamp areas more difficult. The State Police helicopter, often used for marijuana searches this time of the year, is stretched by scheduling conflict.
Colella thought involving the low-flying sport hobbyists would fit the bill. The pilots, flying out of the Long Acres fields in Macedon were only too glad to oblige.
Carefully mapped out coordinates, radio contact and a host of Macedon and Wayne County Drug Task Force officers were on hand for the first flight last Monday.
Macedon Chief, John Ellis went up on the initial search in the powerful 65 horsepower fan-driven, parachute aircraft that allows for low passes of distant areas. The Chief indicated that spotting the almost green fluorescent marijuana crop from the air would give police an advantage over the growers.
Macedon Police did not reveal what, if anything they found, but indicated more trips using the volunteer air force is being scheduled.
Utilizing the air coverage and the 4-wheeler ATV the Department also purchased with the grant will put a substantial dent in local marijuana growing operations, according to Chief Ellis.
Colella said that besides the volunteer flyers, he hopes to utilize power company and Mercy Flight pilots in helping stamp out the drug growth in Macedon. He also said the pilots will be used in cases of missing persons.