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.
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