Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 Source: Recorder & Times, The (CN ON) Section: A, page 1 Copyright: 2004 Recorder and Times Contact: http://www.recorder.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2216 Author: Jack Walker AREA GROW HOUSE OPERATOR JAILED FOR EIGHT MONTHS Citing the increasing number of commercial pot growing operations in the area, an Ontario Court judge has sent an Augusta Township man to jail for eight months in jail in hopes of discouraging others. Richard Rogers, 43, of 3436 County Road 26, received the sentence behind real bars Wednesday after pleading guilty to producing marijuana and careless storage of firearms. Justice Peter Griffiths rejected a defence call for a period of house arrest, saying it would not be in the public interest. "Marijuana grow operations are a problem in our community," he said. "The fact that they are a problem is reported on a regular basis in our newspapers. "In my view, denunciation of the conduct and the deterrence of others who would enter into substantial grow operations requires a true custodial sentence." Police raided Rogers' rented farm September 6, 2002 after an RCMP flyover the previous day. Officers found marijuana strewn about the house and over 200 mature plants growing outside. The grow area was protected by a camouflaged hideout. Police also found an arsenal of weapons and ammunition inside the house. Seven rifles and shotguns were seized, including two without trigger locks that lay on bed. Rogers admitted to owning 76 of the plants valued at between $75,000 to $150,000. Lawyer Tom Glock said the remaining plants were located on a neighbouring farm and his client had knowledge or control over them. Glock argued for a community-based sentence so Rogers could maintain his full-time employment. The operation was not sophisticated and his client had demonstrated an ability to follow court orders, he said. Prosecutor Harry Clarke said the potentially dangerous combination of drugs and guns called for a nine-to 12-month jail term. "There is more to this than some good old boy in the north part of the county growing a few plants to supplement his income, he said. "What we have here is a person growing plants in a commercial operation who's prepared to defend the operation with weapons." Clarke said the accused's mindset could be summed up by a sign pinned on a window of the residence. "Never mind the dog - Beware of the owner," it read. Marijuana production charges against another man alleged to have been involved in the operation were withdrawn. However, Danial Forsyth, 41, of Montague Township, pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace. Forsyth received a 90-day conditional sentence and one year's probation. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake