Pubdate: Mon, 05 Jul 2004
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2004 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.hfxnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: Richard Cuthbertson

UP IN SMOKE

COLE HARBOUR - Cole Harbour RCMP made an unexpected pot bust early 
yesterday, after firefighters smashed into a house in Cole Harbour to make 
sure it hadn't caught fire after car in its driveway appeared to explode. 
Inside the house, located at 70 Cole Drive, firefighters stumbled on to 
about 100 marijuana plants, said RCMP Sgt. Ken Coakley.

One man was arrested for cultivation of marijuana and drug charges are 
pending, said Coakley. An investigation into the car fire has also begun.

A neighbour across the street from the house, who didn't want to be 
identified, said he was shaken out of sleep around 4:15 a.m. yesterday and 
saw flames spewing from the car as high as the roof tops.

"We heard two pops; everybody heard the same thing," said the man. "And 
through our window you could see the flames, on the reflection off the 
wall. And from when the pops hit to the time I jumped up 10 seconds later, 
it was above that peak (of the roof)."

The man said firefighters arrived quickly and sprayed the two adjacent 
houses before putting out the car fire.

RCMP quickly had the place secured, he said, and began dragging the pot 
plants out around 12:30 p.m.

A man, who said his name was Tony Philibert, identified himself as the home 
owner yesterday evening. A maroon Buick Roadmaster sat in his driveway, the 
interior gutted by fire and smelling of charred metal.

The blue siding had melted from the side of his home and pink insulation 
lay strewn about the driveway and front lawn. The house to the other side 
of the driveway also sustained damage.

Philibert said he was "blank" when he returned yesterday morning to find 
the car destroyed and police surrounding his home.

When asked about the marijuana plants found in his home he shrugged his 
shoulders and grimly said, "I don't know what to tell you, my friend."

He wouldn't say if he was the man charged in the incident.

Meanwhile, neighbourhood children played on his front lawn and parents on 
this quiet suburban street were shaking their heads in disbelief. Many said 
they liked Philibert.

They said they were shocked that drugs had been found in their community.
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MAP posted-by: Beth