Pubdate: Fri, 11 Apr 2003
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2003 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Louise Elliott, Canadian Press

CRIMINALS SETTING BOOBY TRAPS COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON

Canadians who protect their criminal enterprises -- such as drug labs or 
grow operations -- with traps will face harsh penalties under federal 
legislation expected to be introduced today.

The legislation, to be introduced by Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, 
responds to concerns raised by firefighters and other emergency workers 
about the growing threat to their safety posed by traps, including 
explosives and trip-wired firearms.

Other known devices have included cut-aways and false floors used to impede 
police, emergency workers, or rival criminal gangs, sources said.

Organized gangs, which have reaped profits by stealing electricity from 
power grids, often rig marijuana grow operations to alert them to the 
presence of law enforcers or to destroy evidence.

The penalty for the new offence could run to a maximum of life in prison, 
in accordance with requests from firefighters, The Canadian Press has learned.

A recent grow operation worth some $5 million in New Brunswick was riddled 
with 30 spring-loaded traps normally used to trap animals. Police said the 
traps were there to cause injury to law enforcers or anyone trying to steal 
the plants. In another instance in Nova Scotia's Annapolis county, a boy 
was shot in the leg after a trip wire in a marijuana field triggered a shotgun.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom