Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jul 2003
Source: Orangeville Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Orangeville Citizen
Contact:  http://www.citizen.on.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2529
Author: John Edwards

CRIME RINGS MOVE NORTH

According to Orangeville Police Chief Rod Freeman organized crime is making 
its way into the Orangeville area.

"Organized crime is creeping into our community," he said.

After uncovering more than two "marijuana grow houses," in 2003 and six 
over the past year, Chief Freeman feels these operations are the work of 
criminal organizations.

According to Crime Stoppers, a marijuana grow house is a home that has been 
modified to grow large amounts of marijuana. These may include significant 
structural and lighting changes in order to supply light, water and 
ventilation to the plants.

"Over the past year we have been able to locate and dismantle about six of 
them," he said. "These grow houses are organized crime, no question about 
it," he said.

Staff Sgt. Wally Koloziechuk of Dufferin OPP, said his detachment has 
uncovered about six grow houses this year.

He said those houses are operated primarily by Asian organizations.

"It is organized crime, " he said. "Asian organized is what it is."

Chief Freeman said organized crime entering the community is something the 
residents should be concerned about.

"That is something we as a community should be shocked about, and guard 
very vigilantly the safety and security of our community."

Chief Freeman feels there are more grow houses in the area.

"I am not naive to think we have got them all in our community."

At a recent conference of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, 
Chief Freeman said York Region estimated they had one grow house per every 
100 homes. The Chief added that with vigilance they were able reduce the 
number to one in every 500 homes.

"If you took that same scale or ratio and applied it to our community, 
potentially we could have 15 to 18 grow houses in our community."

Orangeville Police seized 799 marijuana plants valued at about $850,000 
from a Marshall Crescent residence in Orangeville on June 6.

"An average grow home of about 400 marijuana plants has the opportunity for 
an income of about $1.6 million in a year," said Chief Freeman. "And that 
is all tax-free money that is going into criminal activity."

Chief Freeman said the grow houses poses many dangers to the community.

"In the meantime they are stealing tens of thousands of dollars in hydro, 
which victimizes all of us as a community."

"The presence of these grow houses in our community and our residential 
areas brings down the real estate values," he said. "And the existence of a 
grow operation in a house creates a number of health and safety concerns."

He said once organized crime enters a community, other criminal activity is 
not that far behind.

"With organized crime and with drugs does come violence, and spin-off 
crimes - break and enters, assaults, robberies that type of stuff."

Sgt. Koloziechuk says with the number of florescent lights these homes are 
equipped with, they are prone to fire.

"It also poses threats to emergency services because some of these places 
can catch fire," he said.

However, Shelburne Police Chief Wayne Squirrell said his department does 
not have a problem with marijuana growing operations in Shelburne.

"We don't have any right here in the town,"

He added that the drugs are most likely being shipped to Toronto and United 
States, and are not reaching the streets of the community.

"They are not ending up on our local streets.

Chief Freeman said it is important for residents to report any suspicious 
activity to the police.

"We need everybody in town, all homeowners to be aware of what is going on 
in their neighbourhood."

He said organized crime has no place in Orangeville.

"We want this out of our town," he said. "We can't afford to let our 
community deteriorate to the point where organized crime sees our community 
as a comfortable place to be."

Crime Stoppers said these are tips on how residents can identify a possibly 
marijuana grow house.

* Residents only attend the home occasionally and for short periods of time.

* Equipment such as large fans, lights, plastic plant containers and soil 
are carried in at odd hours.

* The exterior appearance of the property is untidy.

* Entry is often made into the home through the garage to conceal activities.

* Garbage bags containing used soil and plant material are discarded in 
surrounding areas.

* Windows are covered to prevent light from entering the home and to 
conceal activities.

* Bright light can be seen escaping from windows and windows are often 
covered with condensation.

* Hydro metres are tampered with.

* Sounds of construction and ventilation fans may be heard.

* Marijuana produces a strong skunk-like odour and can often be detected 
outside the home.
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