POLICE SEARCH BEYOND WARRANTS FREES 2 MEN ARRESTED AT POT-GROWING OPERATION

CHILLIWACK - Local RCMP expect to conduct search warrants, as they always
have been, with an eye towards officer safety, despite a recent Provincial
Court ruling here.

Judge Brent Hoy ruled in a voir dire from Feb. 17 that evidence taken by
local police at a marijuana-growing operation in January 2003 cannot be
used in court because the officers had searched some farm buildings that
were not included in the search warrant.

His decision was released in late February.

Charges against Minh Ba Hoang and Chin Thi Le were dismissed as a result of
the ruling.

A total of 2,118 plants were discovered at the residence and metal barns
subject to the search warrant. In all though, the RCMP Strike Force turned
up a total of 3,310 plants.

The operation was valued at $1.3 million.