COUNCIL CRACKING DOWN ON ILLICIT DRUGS

Innisfil will be attempting to smoke out drug dealers and
grow-ops.

Town council passed a controlled substances bylaw, which sets
standards that allow municipal investigators to inspect properties
that contain controlled substances like marijuana.

It also sets fees and charges which result from an investigation, said
councillor Bill Pring.

The bylaw is expected to crack down on grow-ops and drug laboratories,
and deter dealers from selling illicit substances on private property
within the town, he said.

"With the passing of this bylaw, the good citizens can inform the
police of where these illegal operations are being held," said Pring.
"We will be registering the buildings, so they cannot be rented or
change hands until such time as our chief building officer is
satisfied that the building is free of mold or anything that could
create health problems."

Under the new bylaw, property owners will be expected to pay for the
cost of removing and disposing of carpets, furniture, appliances,
curtains or any other materials used as part of a drug lab, within 30
days of an inspector's notice. Owners will also be responsible for
cleaning and disinfecting air ducts, walls, floors, insulation
moisture barriers and ceilings, among other items, to the satisfaction
of town inspectors.

Charges for police services, the removal of dangerous goods,
professional cleaners and other expenses can also be issued under the
bylaw. Inspectors will be able to enter a building at any "reasonable"
time.

"With this bylaw, the police service will be paid for the work they do
in apprehending these people who are breaking the law," said Pring.

Fines will range from $500 to $25,000 for individual property owners,
and $500 to $50,000 for corporations.

But some councillors suggest the bylaw may also target property owners
who are unassumingly renting to drug dealers.

"If someone moves into a property, rents it and converts it into a
grow-op, and the landlord does an inspection after a few months and
realizes it, it may tempt landlords to skirt the law and not bother
reporting it," said councillor Rod Boynton. "I'm hoping this bylaw
will cause landlords to screen their tenants and inspect on a regular
basis."

Pring says landlords should be inspecting their property at least
every 90 days to prevent the establishment of drug labs.