Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jan 2007
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Chris Doucette, Toronto Sun

PROVINCE HANGS SALE SIGN ON POT HOUSE

OSHAWA -- A home on a quiet suburban street that once housed a 
half-million-dollar marijuana grow operation has been seized by the 
province and will be sold to help victims of crime.

Durham cops dismantled the drug den in 2005, and after 18 months of 
legal wrangling, the Ontario government has taken possession of the 
bungalow at 208 Severn St. -- near Thornton Rd. N. and Adelaide Ave. 
W. -- under the Civil Remedies Act and placed a "For sale" sign on 
the front lawn of the property.

Police raided the home on suspicion of hydro theft and found more 
than 500 pot plants stuffed into the basement. They also found an 
illegal hydro bypass in the home.

Det. Cindi Bradley said the owner of the home was found guilty and 
received a nine-month conditional sentence and two years probation -- 
meaning he never served any jail time.

Since November 2003, the province has collected $2.6 million through 
such forfeitures and currently has $8.7 million in assets frozen under the act.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elaine