Pubdate: Thu, 08 Apr 2004
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Sherri Zickefoose
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POT GROW-OP BUSTS AT $26M

Home pot-growing operations are adding up for Calgary police, who have 
uprooted two more significant illegal crops worth more than $2 million to 
drug dealers.

Police searching a suburban house in the 100 block of Royal Ridge Rise N.W. 
found $750,000 worth of marijuana plants Wednesday afternoon.

The cannabis hothouse was so sweaty the ceiling drywall was pulling away 
and sagging, said Det. Chris Fileccia of the Southern Alberta Marijuana 
Investigation Team.

The illegal crop cultivators were bypassing the electrical system to steal 
power and there is little furniture in the home.

In 2003, city police seized $53 million worth of homegrown marijuana. Three 
months into 2004, they've pinched pot plants worth $26 million.

"If this keeps up, we'll hit $100 million, which is exactly what Vancouver 
had last year," said Fileccia.

Meanwhile, police discovered a $1.61-million pot-growing house on 
Shawbrooke Green S.W. on March 26. The 758-plant crop is the second-largest 
bust made in the two-year history of Calgary police District 8.

The owner of the house, Veng Yoo Taing, 32, is charged with various drug 
growing charges.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager