Pubdate: Fri, 14 Sep 2007
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)

JUDGE NOW TO DECIDE ON DOPE-FARM CASE

(SUN MEDIA) - The case of five Asian immigrants arrested after they 
were found working on a massive rural dope farm is now in the hands of a judge.

Justice Deborah McCawley heard closing arguments in their trial yesterday.

The five accused were among 28 Asian immigrants arrested in October 
2005 after RCMP seized nearly $20 million worth of weed from a farm 
near Sundown, a small southeastern Manitoba community near the 
Canada-U.S. border.

Police raided the property Oct. 7 and found the 28 workers sleeping 
in a small farmhouse. They also found four massive greenhouses 
containing $10.5 million worth of marijuana plants and 2,700 pounds 
of harvested buds.

The accused -- all free on bail -- are charged with production of 
marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Their lawyer Mike Cook argued they are innocent of the charges 
because they did not know they were doing anything illegal. At trial, 
a number of accused testified they thought they were harvesting 
Chinese herbal medicines.

A date for sentencing will be set next month.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom