POT GROW-OP BUSTS AT $26M

Home pot-growing operations are adding up for Calgary police, who have
uprooted two more significant illegal crops worth more than $2 million to
drug dealers.

Police searching a suburban house in the 100 block of Royal Ridge Rise N.W.
found $750,000 worth of marijuana plants Wednesday afternoon.

The cannabis hothouse was so sweaty the ceiling drywall was pulling away
and sagging, said Det. Chris Fileccia of the Southern Alberta Marijuana
Investigation Team.

The illegal crop cultivators were bypassing the electrical system to steal
power and there is little furniture in the home.

In 2003, city police seized $53 million worth of homegrown marijuana. Three
months into 2004, they've pinched pot plants worth $26 million.

"If this keeps up, we'll hit $100 million, which is exactly what Vancouver
had last year," said Fileccia.

Meanwhile, police discovered a $1.61-million pot-growing house on
Shawbrooke Green S.W. on March 26. The 758-plant crop is the second-largest
bust made in the two-year history of Calgary police District 8.

The owner of the house, Veng Yoo Taing, 32, is charged with various drug
growing charges.