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MARIJUANA GROW-OPS SPREADING ACROSS CANADA

Summary by Lorraine McNamara
National President
REAL Women of Canada

A Talk by Detective Doug McCutcheon
Drug Squad, Toronto Police Service

Why have marijuana "grow-ops" become so prevalent in this country? Detective Doug McCutcheon of the Toronto Police Service Drug Squad had the answer: it's mainly the money to be made; lots and lots of money! In a fascinating presentation, which included pictures illustrating what happens to homes and communities due to grow-ops, Detective, McCutcheon provided us with a good deal of insight into this huge illegal activity. He noted that the media seems at times to view the marijuana trade with some lack of concern, but there is reason to be very concerned, even alarmed, about the illegal marijuana industry.

Marijuana can be grown locally, which makes it very attractive to persons who deal in drugs. A typical grow-op of 400 plants, harvested over three months, will produce 1,600 plants per year, and can provide a return of about $1.6 million dollars. A large operation, such as the recent grow-op found in Barrie, Ontario, will net an incredible amount of money. These profits are funneled back into the community, usually for other criminal activities. Sometimes the marijuana, which is exported to the U.S., is traded, pound for pound, for cocaine, which then is smuggled into Canada.

It is not just because of the money, however, that grow-ops are spreading in Canada. The lenient sentences imposed by the courts are also a factor. It is usually the "caretakers" or "guardians" who are caught, but these are just the first layer of offenders and the owners or organizers of the grow-op get away with illegal activity. In Canada, even though a maximum sentence is seven years, current sentencing ranges from fines to short-term incarceration. The fines, however, are so minimal, that, grow-op operators just regard them as the price of doing business. In the U.S. there are stricter maximums, five to forty years, but the usual prison term is just two years - not nearly long enough, but still something of a deterrent, which is so painfully absent in Canada.

As marijuana grow-ops become more prevalent, there is an accompanying increase in other illegal activities, including homicides, robberies and home invasions, money laundering (billions of dollars), and financing for other criminal activities.

The impact on communities is enormous. Detective McCutcheon showed pictures of typical grow-ops. It was shocking to see that really beautiful homes in residential areas are used as marijuana factories. Fires are common due to the amount of heat and light needed to grow marijuana. There are serious electrical hazards. One picture illustrated a typical outside electrical hook-up which would have been extremely dangerous to children. The grow-ops also attract criminal elements, obviously not wanted in our neighbourhoods.

Apart from the dangers to children and communities posed by marijuana grow-ops, the cost for electrical theft has been estimated at $8,446 per grow house, and this is reflected in higher electricity costs to all citizens. Insurance costs are also extremely high and are also passed on to the rest of us.

These grow-ops ruin homes. The interiors are destroyed to make way for electrical equipment and wires, and the mould resulting from high humidity is so pervasive it can sometimes travel to adjoining buildings. Even when the plants are removed, the remaining mould makes a building uninhabitable.

Because a grow-op can contain not just electrical hazards, but also various chemicals which may be toxic or unstable, officers must take a two-week course on safety. When approaching such an operation, officers usually wear respirators and special suits and boots. They also have to be wary of traps, because grow-ops are subject to being raided by other criminals and the owners therefore have deterrents put in place. One grow-op, for example, had a shotgun rigged to go off when a door opened, and at another grow-op, police found an alligator in a bathtub!

Neighbours are often shocked to find that a home nearby has been used to grow marijuana. Detective McCutcheon said it helps when people are vigilant and contact police if they have any suspicions about a home in their neighbourhood. He said to look out for the following give-aways: (1) The house does not appear to be lived in and there is no contact with the neighbours; (2) Activity inside the house takes place at odd hours; (3) The exterior is not cared for on a regular basis; (4) The garage is used as the only means of access to the house so no one can see what is being transported in and out of the house; (5) There is little or no garbage, or the garbage contains plant material and soil; (6) The windows are completely covered; (7) The windows show some deterioration due to humidity; (8) There are unusual noises from the interior; (9) The roof, in winter, is snow-free due to warmth from the interior of the house.

Those of us who thought we were knowledgeable received a much better understanding of what is involved in the marijuana industry, thanks to Detective McCutcheon's presentation. We will certainly be vigilant!

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