Pubdate: Wed, 01 Dec 2004 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Zen Ruryk, City Hall Bureau Chief Note: Follow this series at http://www.mapinc.org/source/Toronto+Sun Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) BUSTS DOUBLE IN 2004 293 POT OPERATIONS CLOSED SO FAR TORONTO POLICE busted more than double the number of marijuana growing operations during the first 11 months of this year than they did in all of 2003, says a report to city council. As of Nov. 24, the cops had uncovered 293 grow operations this year. Officers shut down 140 grow-ops last year, according to a report from city bureaucrats. "The numbers are dramatically increasing," said Councillor Michael Thompson, who added other Canadian cities, including Mississauga and Vaughan, are also struggling with the problem. Yesterday city council adopted Thompson's call for a report from police management on the personnel and money they'll need to fight the growing problem. Councillors also directed city officials to consult the province about obtaining powers needed to address health and safety concerns that arise when dwellings are used as grow-ops. The province is now developing legislation to better deal with such operations. Records of this year's busts in Toronto show that 116 of the operations took root in highrise buildings, 151 sprouted in houses and the 26 crops were uncovered in industrial and commercial buildings. Investigators this year seized more than 104,000 pot plants with an estimated street value of $104 million, according to the report. Police now provide the city with a report on the condition of busted grow houses. There can be problems with mould, changes to the electrical system and even things like holes made in ceilings for ventilation. The city recently started issuing orders demanding the owners of busted grow homes to file reports from appropriate professionals detailing damage and offering assurances that it has been fixed.