Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Tracy McLaughlin BIG POT GROW WAS BREWIN' BARRIE, Ont. -- Police tactical units and K-9 dog teams are still searching the inside of the former giant Molson's brewery for bombs and booby traps after police uncovered what they say is the largest and most elaborate indoor marijuana grow operation in Ontario. More than 100 officers from combined forces swarmed the massive three-storey building on Big Bay Point Road yesterday while police helicopters hovered nearby. Ten people were arrested on the site and taken into custody and police are tracking more suspects. Throughout the day and into the night officers went in and out of the building, carrying special equipment, while officers blocked off the area from the public. "This place is huge - there are a lot of good hiding places," said Supt. Bill Crate of the Ontario Provincial Police. "We don't know if there are other suspects hiding inside." He said before police even begin to tally the value of the "thousands and thousands" of marijuana plants, specially trained units will make sure the area is safe for the investigators. "There can be booby traps and bombs - we don't want to take any chances." The former Molson brewery and bottling plant shut its doors a few years ago and since then a private developer bought the location and has leased some of the area to six or seven small businesses. Crate would not elaborate on whether or not the businesses were a front to the drug operation that has been under surveillance. "I can say that it is a very sophisticated, well-organized operation involving an elaborate growing system." He said it will take several days to complete the search of the building and secure the area. Formal charges will not be laid against the ten individuals until they have been brought before a Justice of the Peace, possibly today. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens