Pubdate: Thu, 24 Mar 2005
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Kevin Connor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

STEALTHY GROWERS

Marijuana Houses Hiding The Clues

MARIJUANA GROW-OPS are becoming so sophisticated that police are having 
trouble getting grounds for search warrants, says a York region drug 
officer. "They are masking their signs better," said Sgt. Don Cardwell, 
with the York police drug unit.

In the past, there were more obvious signs a house was being used as a 
grow-op. They included drapes always being drawn, people coming and going 
at unusual hours, mail not being picked up and the property being unkempt.

"They have learned to read our warrants and adapted their operations, which 
makes things more time-consuming," Cardwell said.

"They have started having families live in the grow-ops and use carbon 
filters to hide the smell."

Many grow-ops have started paying for the electricity needed for the 
operation through the meters and Hydro's level of interest in grow-ops has 
declined, Cardwell said.

"(Hydro) will still give us information, but they aren't pursuing it like 
when (grow-ops) were stealing," he said.

Firefighters and police officers can be at risk from explosives, trip-wired 
firearms and false floors in marijuana grow-ops.
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MAP posted-by: Beth