POLICE FIND INFANT IN GROW-OP RAID

An infant is in the care of the Children's Aid Society following a $1
million marijuana grow-op bust in Durham Region.

While executing a search warrant on a Zephyr Rd. home in Uxbridge on
Wednesday, York Regional Police found more than 800 marijuana plants
drying in the basement and about 35 lbs. of harvested marijuana in a
freezer. Two unsafely stored firearms were also found in the home, police said.

In a separate building on the property, officers found a grow
operation consisting of 420 marijuana plants. Police estimate the
street value of the drugs at $1.2 million.

A vehicle reported stolen from York Region in 2003 was also found on
the property, police said.

Seven people were arrested, including the parents of a one-and-a-half
month old baby living in the home, who has since been taken into the
care of the Children's Aid Society.

Facing various drug- and firearm-related charges are a man, 58, a
woman, 54, a man, 29, a woman, 28, another man, 29, a woman, 25, and
a 17-year-old who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Earlier this week, children were found living in two separate York
Region marijuana grow-ops.

Officers called to a house on Simonston Blvd., near Don Mills Rd. and
John St. in Markham, found growing equipment and more than 100
marijuana plants in the basement Monday. Two children, aged 10 and
15, were living in the home with three adults, who were arrested.

The street value of the marijuana found in the home was estimated at $100,000.

The next day, police arrived at a house in Weldrick Rd. E. in
Richmond Hill to arrest a man they believed was operating a marijuana
grow-op. When officers arrived, they saw a 12-year-old child standing
in the hallway of the house and found an 11-month-old baby upstairs
in a bedroom.

More than 450 marijuana plants were seized at the home, along with
hydroponic equipment.

The children found in the two homes are now under the care of
Children's Aid Society.