POT GROW-OP IN FORMER BREWERY BIGGER THAN FIRST THOUGHT: POLICE

Second Raid In Barrie

BARRIE - A marijuana growing operation at the former Molson brewery in the
city -- thought to be the largest ever discovered in the province -- is
twice as big as police originally thought.

And a second huge marijuana grow house was discovered just north of Barrie
yesterday when police raided a commercial building in Oro Medonte.

"To give you some perspective, think about this," Ontario Provincial Police
Superintendent Bill Crate said yesterday. "An average grow house in a
residential area can produce about 500 plants.

"At the one in Oro Medonte, they found thousands and thousands of plants,
and that was small compared to the brewery," he said.

The former brewery would not normally be considered a good site for a
secret pot-growing operation.

Millions of drivers commuting through southern Ontario over the years on
Highway 400 could to see into the landmark which is just metres from the
road and features huge windows. The six-lane highway is the main route to
cottage and ski country and is jammed almost every weekend.

Eleven people -- including one found hiding in the former retail store near
the brewery yesterday -- have been arrested.

The raids were carried out as part of a probe into illegal grow-house
operations, which police say have increased dramatically in recent years.

Supt. Crate, who declined to say how police learned of this particular
operation, toured the brewery site yesterday, and said he was amazed by
what he saw. "There was everything from seedlings to mature plants to
plants that they were just readying for sale.

"It's really pretty amazing. I think everyone was surprised by the size of
it all. We thought it was huge yesterday [Saturday], and today it's twice
as big."

Police described the operation as a "sophisticated, well-organized" setup
with an elaborate and monitored growing system.

"There are lots of offices, working spaces and nooks and crannies
everywhere," Supt. Crate said, noting plants were discovered growing all
over the building, including inside the beer vats, some of which can be
seen from Highway 400.

Police also discovered living accommodations inside the brewery. "If you
think of this as a factory with people running the operation 24 hours a
day, it fits that there would be sleeping accommodations," he said.

The former brewery, which Molson closed in 2000, now houses about half a
dozen companies that have leased space from Rosten Investments.

The police investigation is expected to last a few days.