Pubdate: Sat, 14 Jun 2003
Source: Stouffville Sun/Tribune (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Stouffville Sun/Tribune
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/stouffville/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2431
Author: Kathleen Griffin,

THREE MORE GROW HOUSES FOUND IN STOUFFVILLE

More than $2 million worth of marijuana has been seized from four
Stouffville grow house operations busted by York Regional Police in
the past two weeks.

Police were clearing out "a huge mess" from 1 Flint Cres. yesterday,
the most recent raid, which netted police more than 600 pot plants.

The "mess" was unsafe hydro wiring, rigged to divert power to grow
equipment. Hydro officials had to ensure officers' safety before they
were able to remove drugs from the homes.

The York Regional Police drugs and vice squad has been hopping; they
have busted 41 grow house operations since June 1.

"They are becoming more difficult to find and that tells me we're
making an impact," said Det. Mike Klimm. "Six months ago, in Markham,
a survey showed one in every 100 houses was a grow operation -- that
number is now one in 500. It's awesome."

Nine operations within a one-kilometre area in Maple were busted this
week, as well as the four in Stouffville.

Since January, police have seized plants from homes across the region
that would have been worth more than $20 million on the street.

On June 3, police swooped down on an abandoned home at 588 Millard
Street, seizing 836 plants, worth $836,000.

The resident of 25 Ivy Crescent was charged after police raided the
home June 9 and seized $636,000 worth of pot.

Neighbours noticed a few strange things about the house at 125 Aspen
Cresc. -- no one was ever around and the place appeared abandoned.
They called York Regional Police. On Tuesday, 603 plants and grow
equipment were removed from the empty house.

Many of the raids are a result of officials tracking excessive hydro
use, but occasionally police get a tip from the public.

The signs to watch for include:

the house looks empty, abandoned

lights are on at strange hours of the day and night

no one is ever there, or people come and go at weird hours

people always come in and out through the garage

the lawn and gardens are not being cared for

blinds and curtains are always drawn

condensation on the windows

"We will continue to make an impact until they leave our area," Det.
Klimm promised.

To report suspicious property, call 905-881-1221, ext. 7816 or Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake