Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jan 2002
Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS)
Copyright: 2002 Cape Breton Post
Contact:  http://www.capebretonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777
Forum: http://forums.canada.com/~capebretonpost
Author: Sharon Montgomery

RAID SHUTS DOWN 400,000 POT FARM IN NEW WATERFORD

Constable Stephen MacKinnon of the Drugs and Street Crime Section of 
the Cape Breton Regional Police Service, secures some marijuana 
plants in a police vehicle, following a raid at a residence located 
at 641 Mahon Street (in background), New Waterford, Wednesday, in 
which 354 marijuana plants and related paraphernalia, a street value 
of about $400,000, was seized.

Police arrested a 37-year-old man and his 17-year-old son after 
seizing drugs and related paraphernalia worth an estimated $400,000 
in a raid Wednesday.

The man, who is from British Columbia, will appear in Sydney 
provincial court this morning to face charges of cultivating 
marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Sgt. Paul Jobe of the Cape Breton Regional Police drug section said 
the raid took place at about 7 a.m. and involved six members of the 
drug and street crime section armed with a warrant.

He said the man and his son were both sleeping at the time and both 
co-operated. The arrests went without incident.

A search of the residence located a full scale marijuana growing 
operation, including 354 marijuana plants in various stages of 
maturity. The plants were located in the basement and an upstairs 
room.

Jobe said it was a three-tier operation, with plants in a starting 
stage, mid-size and at full stage of growth, almost to maturity. 
Police seized the plants as well as lights, heaters, timers and 
various other paraphernalia.

"(The estimated value of $400,000) is going by the street value of 
$20 a gram - 354 plants."

The month-long investigation was the result of information received 
from anonymous sources.

The man and his son were taken to central lockup in Sydney for 
questioning and were still in custody by late Wednesday. No decision 
had yet been made on charges against the son.

Jobe said the man moved to New Waterford from British Columbia about 
four months ago and is not from the area. He was renting the house 
where the raid took place.

Jobe said they keep random samples of the plants as evidence. Health 
and Welfare has been notified of the drug bust and when permission is 
received the plants will be destroyed at an undisclosed location.

"We do this at different locations each time because of security reasons."
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MAP posted-by: Josh