Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jul 2005
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Sean McKibbon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

DOPE DEFENCE FAILS TO CONVINCE JUDGE

A sparsely furnished pot grow op that smelled of rotting vegetables 
was no lover's "oasis," a judge has ruled.

Son Thi Le, 40, was convicted yesterday of possession of marijuana 
for the purpose of trafficking and production of the illegal plant.

In a written decision, Justice Gerald Morin said he did not believe 
Le's story that she would flee her abusive marriage in Mississauga 
for the comforts of the home she and her boyfriend rented at 2281 
Courtice Ave. in the Alta Vista area.

"The evidence is clear that this was no oasis," Morin wrote. "One of 
three bedrooms was scarcely furnished with a mattress on the floor. 
The other two bedrooms were empty. There was little food in the 
kitchen cupboard and what was there consisted primarily of noodles."

Morin said Le's testimony was "riddled with contradictions, 
evasiveness and propositions that simply make no sense."

Didn't Notice Smell?

Le ran afoul of the law in January when firefighters were called to 
the home because neighbours saw smoke billowing out of the roof. The 
smoke turned out to be steam from the grow op found in the basement.

Le claimed to have never gone down to the basement and not to have 
noticed the odour.

"Her evidence that she occupied only the kitchen, family room, 
bathroom and bedroom and never opened the doors to bedrooms two and 
three or the basement simply makes no sense and is totally 
unbelievable," Morin wrote.

He ruled Le had knowledge of the grow op and control of the premises 
as a leaseholder and owner of one of two keys to the property.
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MAP posted-by: Beth