Pubdate: Sat, 14 Apr 2001 Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Richmond Public Library Contact: http://www.rpl.richmond.bc.ca/community/RichmondReview/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704 Author: Martin van den Hemel COMPASSION CLUB FUMING OVER POT BUST Richmond RCMP deny their raid of a grow operation used to supply medicinal marijuana had anything to do with politics. "That couldn't be further from the truth," Richmond RCMP Const. Peter Thiessen said of allegations by the head of the B.C. Compassion Club Society that the raid was set up by Health Minister Allan Rock. The society's founder, Hilary Black, was in the midst of a telephone conversation with Rock when she was informed of a raid at a Richmond greenhouse supplying the club's members. Around 1:30 p.m., members of the local drug squad executed a search warrant at a building at 10471 Palmberg Rd. In a greenhouse at the rear of the property, they found 400 marijuana plants, 1,800 smaller plants and 10 boxes full of cultivated marijuana, Thiessen said. Police also found a modified, fully automatic M-16 assault rifle-a restricted weapon-and two prohibited knives. The owner of the property, Dr. Paul Hornby, showed police a Health Canada certificate which states he can grow marijuana at an address on Pandora Street in Vancouver. Health Canada has been brought in to assist police in the investigation. According to police, Health Canada indicated the property owner had a permit to conduct qualitative analysis on marijuana but is not permitted to cultivate it. Five people were arrested, but no charges have been laid. Thiessen said police will likely recommend drug and weapons related charges. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom