Pubdate: Sat, 27 Jan 2007
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Chris Doucette, Toronto Sun
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

$25M POT BUST

More Than 25,000 Plants Seized

Everything needed to start a marijuana grow-op franchise -- plants, 
lights, fertilizer, and detailed instructions on how to market the 
drugs and launder money -- were scooped up in a massive police raid 
on dozens of homes across the GTA.

A lengthy investigation into the company led to the discovery of 39 
grow houses across the GTA and the seizure of $25 million worth of 
pot, police said yesterday.

Toronto cops say they have been watching people come and go from Can 
Tech Inc. -- located at 5250 Finch Ave. E. -- since last February as 
part of a joint operation with the RCMP.

They have also been watching the company's second location called Can 
Tech Distribution on McAdam Dr. in Mississauga.

Warrants

Officers swooped in with search warrants Monday at the two 
warehouses, as well as dozens of other houses and apartments across 
the city, which police allege were drug dens set up by Can Tech like 
franchises for fast food.

"We're alleging that they (Can Tech Inc.) facilitated the equipment 
and the clones (small plants) to start the grow operation, and then 
assisted in distributing (the pot) and laundering the money," 
Staff-Insp. Don Campbell said yesterday at 42 Division in Scarborough.

In dismantling the huge operation, police seized 25,776 marijuana 
plants at the various locations -- much of which they allege would 
have been sold south of the border. They also seized grow-op 
equipment, computers and tens of thousands of dollars in Canadian and 
U.S. currency.

"It was quite sophisticated, quite organized. That's why it took us 
nine months to establish the roots of this organization," Campbell said.

Five women and six men have so far been arrested. And warrants have 
been issued for another 10 people.

There was nobody at Can Tech Inc.'s Scarborough location yesterday.

However, staff at other businesses in the industrial complex just 
west of Markham Rd. said they were not at all surprised to hear the 
company was allegedly a front for illegal drugs.

'Big Bags'

Paul, who works at Federal Wireless Communications Inc. and did not 
give his last name, said he knew they were growing something 
next-door but he didn't know what.

"All I ever saw was bags coming out of there, big bags," he said, 
describing skids piled nearly two metres high with dark-coloured 
garbage bags stuffed with what he now believes must have been marijuana.

Other staff agreed, saying they often found "pot leaves" on the 
ground out back in the loading area.

"I often wondered what was going on in there," said Bryan Petry, a 
partner at All Seasons Display a few units over.

Charged are: [Names Redacted]. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman