CROWN WANTS JAIL TIME FOR POT PRODUCER

A federal prosecutor wants an 18-month jail sentence for a young man who
ran a large, sophisticated, indoor marijuana-growing operation in a
Kitchener home.

Thanh Duong, 20, pleaded guilty yesterday to trafficking in marijuana and
stealing electricity by bypassing the home's hydro meter.

Kitchener's Ontario Court heard that police carried out 332 marijuana
plants, with a street value of $230,000, from the home last December.

Since last June, police have raided dozens of homes across Waterloo Region
where lush marijuana grows were proliferating. Duong is the first person to
be convicted.

Crown prosecutor Pat Flynn said outside court he'll ask for a sentence of
about 18 months in jail'.

Duong's lawyer, Kathleen Nolan, will argue for a conditional sentence for
her client who is a young first offender.

Duong will return for sentencing May 31.