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." - --- MAP posted-by: Josh