POT GROWER CALLED COPS TO HIS HOME

Police Find Marijuana Plants When Called To Probe B&E

A Windsor man who reported a break-in to police but was arrested after
officers discovered a large-scale marijuana growing operation in his home,
was sentenced Tuesday to 12 months probation and fined $1,500.

"I'm satisfied with the verdict," Eric Brundin, 45, said as he smoked a
cigarette outside the courthouse following the decision by Ontario Court
Justice Micheline Rawlins.

"I thought the judge was quite fair."

Brundin was also handed a 10-year ban on possessing weapons and forfeits
the growing equipment seized from his home.

On Dec. 27, 2002, Brundin called police at 5:25 a.m. to report someone had
broken into his home in the 1600 block of St. Luke Road, committed an
assault and stole a jewelry box.

Brundin invited the two police officers into his home to investigate.

But the officers discovered 156 pot plants growing in the basement as they
searched the home to ensure no suspects were hiding inside.

Brundin and his 35-year-old wife, Carrie, were charged with production of a
controlled drug and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Charges against Brundin's wife were withdrawn Tuesday.

Federal prosecutor Richard Pollock said the basement of the Brundin home
had been divided by plywood walls into three rooms. The plants ranged from
seedlings to two feet in height.

Police also seized electronic scales, 110 grams of ground marijuana and
growing chemicals.

Pollock said the street value of the seized drugs was more than $100,000.

Police have said the attack on the Brundins appeared to be drug-related.

"That's another aspect to all of this," Pollock said. "It's not just
someone was dumb enough to call police, it's that these growing operations
are drawing other elements of crime.

"There are a lot of break-and-enter crimes being committed around these
grow operations because of the dollars involved."