Pubdate: Thu, 28 Nov 2002 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Jonathan Jenkins GANGS TAKE POT WAR TO HOMES It's a scenario the clandestine marijuana farmer dreads: The door of his suburban pot plantation is kicked in and armed men order everyone inside to the floor. But it's not cops with a search warrant -- it's rival gangsters looking for drugs and money. "Unfortunately it's becoming typical," York Region Det. Paul LaSalle said yesterday. "Home invasions typically aren't random. They know what they're wanting so there's usually some sort of inside knowledge." The latest example came Tuesday afternoon, when three men stormed into a spacious home in a new subdivision in Vaughan. They pointed a gun at one of the four adults in the home and began searching the home. It wouldn't have taken them long to find the $200,000 worth of marijuana plants growing in the basement. But while the gunmen's backs were turned, one of the victims quickly dialled 911. "As soon as they discover 911 has been called they take off just before police arrive," LaSalle said. Children At Home The three invaders, all Vietnamese men, escaped in a light-coloured four-door car and a light grey minivan. Unlike many other grow homes, police believe the couple growing the dope were also living there with their three children, all under the age of nine. The children, present during the robbery, have been taken into care by the Children's Aid Society. Their parents --whose names were not released -- face numerous charges. Police estimate the average grow house can turn a half-million dollar profit each year, and that up to 10,000 are operating across the country. Earlier this month, police raided 180 houses, seized $73-million worth of dope and charged 163 people. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth