Pubdate: Fri, 05 May 2000 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: 333 King St. E., Toronto, Ontario M5A 3X5 Canada Fax: (416) 947-3228 Website: http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoSun/ Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/newsgroups.html Author: John Schmied COPS HIT THE JACKPOT Man Charged In $4.2M Peel Marijuana Bust MISSISSAUGA -- A massive pot-growing lab busted by Peel Police last night almost doubled the force's take of all home-grown marijuana this year. A lab containing 3,600 plants worth $4.2 million when harvested brought to $9 million the amount of drugs seized from all labs this year by Peel's morality bureau. "We're seeing more and more of these ... we seized $8 million worth of marijuana from labs all of last year," Insp. John Nielsen said last night. Last night's raid on a 2,000-square-foot industrial unit in the Hwy. 403-Eglinton Ave. area ended a four-month undercover operation dubbed Project Green Acres. A 42-year-old Toronto man was arrested and three other people were sought when officers raided the unit, which was camouflaged from prying eyes. 'Professional Operation' "These guys really knew what they were doing ... this was a professional operation," said Det. Doug Schulz. Police said the unit's growing operation was hidden from the loading doors by a wall and curtain, in front of which sat equipment to cut cedar shingles, which also helped mask the smell. Inside were plants in various stages of growth -- one lot about two weeks away from harvest. "I'd say the THC (active ingredient in marijuana) is probably higher than 20%," said Schulz, adding that would make it premium-quality pot. During the operation, police also purchased two pounds of marijuana, worth about $5,000. Peter Rooyaakkers, 42, of Toronto, is charged with two counts of trafficking, and one count each of possession for the purpose of trafficking and of producing marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea