Pubdate: Fri, 30 Mar 2007
Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Hamilton Spectator
Contact:  http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181
Author: Marissa Nelson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?208 (Environmental Issues)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

GROW OP TENANTS NOT AT RISK

The preliminary report from a consultant in charge of  an 
environmental assessment of three apartment  buildings in the city's 
east end where police uncovered  the city's biggest marijuana grow op 
says the current  occupants of the buildings aren't in jeopardy.

Police swooped down on the buildings last week  uncovering marijuana 
worth $11.8 million in 49  different apartments. The owner of the 
building was  ordered to hire a consultant to look at the buildings.

Marianne Brown, manager of building and construction  for the city's 
building and licensing division, said  the consultant told them the 
air quality has been  tested in the buildings and that there aren't 
any  concerns for people living in the unaffected units.

Further air quality tests will be done in the 49  grow-op apartments 
before anyone is allowed to move in  to those.

Brown said there has been a visual inspection of all of  those 
apartments and the owner is now allowed to remove  all of the growing 
apparatus.

Anthony Di Cenzo, vice-president of Di Cenzo Management  Inc., which 
owns the buildings, estimates the cost to  clean the grow ops will be 
up to $1 million.

A full report must be given to council by April 23. All  of the 
reports to the city so far have been verbal. The  marijuana grow-op 
bust was the largest in the city's  history. The original 
investigation at 11 Grandville  Ave. led police to 77 Delawana Dr. 
and 50 Violet Dr.  The search warrants for the apartments at 11 
Grandville Ave. have been sealed by a justice of the peace.  Sergeant 
Mike Webber of the Hamilton police said no one  has been charged.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom