Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jan 2004
Source: Huronia Business Times (CN ON)
Contact:  2004 Huronia Business Times
Website: http://www.simcoe.com/sc/business/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3244

EX-MOLSON PLANT 'IDEAL' FOR GROWING POT

The former Molson brewery in Barrie now has the dubious distinction of 
being home to the "the largest indoor marijuana grow ever seen in Ontario." 
police say.

An estimated 30,000 plants and sophisticated growing equipment were seized 
in a raid on the building, where more than 400 people once worked.

At a news conference held at Barrie Police Service, OPP deputy commissioner 
Vaughn Collins stated the bust was certainly the largest indoor operation 
ever discovered in the province, if not in all of Canada.

"This particular marijuana factory is the most sophisticated found in 
Canada, using 60,000 square feet. It took two days to clear the building, 
and it will take weeks to dismantle it," Collins said.

A video recorded by the OPP showed that the owners of the operation used 
ingenuity by using large metal beer vats left behind by Molson to cultivate 
marijuana plants.

Other rooms at the factory were converted to vast growing areas. The plant 
was staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, police speculate.

One portion of the facility had been converted to a dormitory, complete 
with beds, microwave ovens, refrigerators and televisions.

An estimated $30 million in marijuana plants was found, plus a variety of 
equipment likely worth millions of dollars as well. More than 1,000 
hydroponic lights were used to provide artificial light.

There was a significant amount of specialized electrical apparatus 
installed, too.

Three or four crops a year could be harvested from the operation, Collins 
said, yielding an estimated $100 million in annual revenues.

'I am very pleased that we were able to shut down what was the largest 
indoor marijuana growing operation in Canada," said Wayne Frechette, chief 
of Barrie Police Service.

"The fact it resided in our community demonstrates the need for the public 
to be vigilant for suspicious activities which may be evidence of illegal 
drug production." The former Molson plant was an "ideal location" for such 
an enterprise, Collins added.

It already had the the infrastructure in place for electricity and water 
services.

There are numerous loading bays for trucks at the location, it's close to a 
major highway, and there were no windows at the plant, allowing for secrecy 
to be maintained. In addition, there's a gated security entrance, 
preventing any unwanted excursions onto the property.
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