DREAM HOMES GO TO POT

Drug-Growing Operation Stuns North Shore Residents

It is a housing development called My Dream but for some of the people who
own small bungalows in this North Shore town, living here has become a
nightmare.

Since Jan. 9, the Deux-Montagnes regional police have executed 17 search
warrants in recently built homes in the Mon Rive development, which consists
of six streets.

Investigators found the homes, near the north shore of the Lake of Two
Mountains, were being used to grow marijuana hydroponically. The number is
remarkably high considering there are only about 80 houses in the
development, north of Highway 344.

A billboard on the highway invites prospective homebuyers to visit.

"We only moved in recently. All I've seen lately is police cars everywhere,"
said one woman who was walking with a young child along Rabliere St., where
two search warrants were carried out yesterday. The bulk of the searches
since Jan. 9 were in houses on a crescent named Place de la Tournee.

"This is hell. We have no idea who was living here," said the woman, who
asked to not be identified.

In most cases, no one was living in bungalows although the marijuana growers
obviously wanted to make people think otherwise, said police chief Normand
Mastromatteo.

Many of the homes were equipped with false basement windows so nosy
neighbours who peered inside would think all was normal.

One false window was equipped with children's sports trophies, while toys
were left on the lawns of other homes to make them appear lived in. Last
month, the marijuana growers even placed Christmas decorations outside the
empty houses.

There were families living in only two of the houses.

"If you talk to many police officers they will tell you it is a first. We
are astounded. I can say this is impressive," said Mastromatteo.

"Many people came and told us (yesterday) that they are going to move away.
They're wondering what is happening. You have to think of the people who
invested everything to buy a house. I want to tell them they don't have to
move or feel worried. We will be behind them."

The police chief said investigators believe the elaborate operation is tied
to an outlaw motorcycle gang but refused to name which one.

But police sources confirmed last night the marijuana is believed to be
linked to the north chapter of the Rockers, a puppet gang of the Hells
Angels.

The police seized more than 8,000 marijuana plants since Wednesday. Police
described them as a new breed of weed that can be harvested within 40 days
of planting. Police also seized tons of hydroponic equipment.

City spokesman Stephane Plante said the plants and equipment are worth an
estimated $17 million. Investigators initially targeted 10 homes but the
searches led to new evidence and other houses.

Five people have been arrested and Mastromatteo said he expects as many as
10 more people will be picked up before the weekend.

Police investigators have also questioned a contractor involved in the Mon
Rive development, Plante said.

Mastromatteo said he has asked for a prosecutor who specializes in
proceeds-of-crime legislation to look into the evidence gathered during the
investigation, which began more than a year ago. Police hope to seize the
houses.

The houses were modified with special ventilation that carried air from the
basement to the roof. But Mastromatteo said the ventilation acted as a
giveaway. On summer days, the vent turbine could be seen spinning rapidly.
"Meanwhile, at a normal house the ventilation wasn't being used at all."

The police chief said the next step is to trace the ownership records of the
houses involved. He said he wants to bring in engineers to see if they were
modified or originally constructed to be used as marijuana greenhouses.

"I'm not accusing the contractor or the people who owned the land. But we
have to ask questions."

Three suspects were charged in Saint-Jerume court yesterday: 37-year-old
Mario Grano and Eric Deslongchamps and Marc Rompre, both 31.