Pubdate: Thu, 14 Apr 2005
Source: Etobicoke Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Etobicoke Guardian
Contact:  http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etobicoke/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2218
Author: David Nickle
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

CITY COULD PUT THE HEAT ON GROW OPS

An $8-Million Plan To Stem The Proliferation Of Marijuana Grow Houses Is On 
Its Way To Toronto Council.

The plan would cost $8.3 million over five years to fund a new dedicated 
squad that will use high-tech infrared technology to root out the 
operations. Startup costs would be about $2 million if council decides to 
go ahead with it this year, with the remaining $6 million rolling out in 
years two to five.

Toronto's new police chief Bill Blair presented the report -- which was 
signed by his predecessor Julian Fantino -- at last week's Toronto Police 
Services Board meeting. He and drug squad Staff Inspector Dan Hayes told 
the board that as it stands, the city is losing the fight against the 
proliferation of the grow operations.

Hayes said Toronto is particularly popular in the GTA in part because it's 
the only jurisdiction without a helicopter and infrared sensing devices to 
detect the operations.

But both he and Blair were careful not to turn the report into a pitch for 
a helicopter - something that Fantino frequently advocated.

"A helicopter is an excellent policing tool but I would want to see more 
justification before I would ask this board or this city to spend that much 
money," said Blair.

According to the report, members of the Toronto Drug Squad shut down 320 
grow operations in 2004. That's an increase of 129 per cent over 2003 and a 
400 per cent increase over 2002.

The operations, which are typically set up in rented houses and apartments, 
are particularly concentrated in Scarborough but crop up around the city. 
Aside from the illegality of the operations, they also pose serious safety 
hazards as their operators bypass electrical meters and create fire 
hazards. As well, the moisture in the operations helps cultivate toxic molds.

As well, said the report, there's evidence the operations are tied to 
organized crime, and the proceeds from marijuana sales are used to purchase 
guns and harder drugs.

At present, Hayes said police are dealing with the grow operations on a 
complaints basis because they don't have the resources to proactively 
investigate the increasing problem.

The creation of a dedicated squad would help, although Hayes said that 
won't end the problem.

Hayes said that the real problem is that sentencing for running marijuana 
grow operations is so light that it's barely a deterrent.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom