GROW-OP MASTERMIND UNREPENTANT - LAWYER

A B.C. Marijuana Party candidate faces up to four years in prison for
masterminding the largest grow-op network ever busted by Surrey RCMP.

Donald Joseph Briere, 50, pleaded guilty to cultivating marijuana,
laundering $2.3 million and possessing a prohibited assault rifle.

Briere polled 385 votes in the May 16 provincial election in
Surrey-Tynehead, after driving around the riding in a converted school bus
- - dubbed the Cannibus - during the campaign.

His lawyer told Surrey provincial court Judge Gurmail Gill yesterday that
Briere is "unrepentant" for his crimes. "He doesn't view marijuana as
deserving criminal sanctions," said Bruce Ralston during the sentencing
hearing.

The court should keep in mind the ongoing debate on legalizing marijuana,
Ralston said and that the trafficking laws are "in flux."

Federal Crown counsel Carmella Osborn said that when Surrey Mounties busted
Briere's warehouse in March 1999, they found 113 kilograms of dried B.C.
bud and about $50,000 in grow equipment.

Osborn said he controlled seven grow ops between 1991 and 1999 and employed
more than 20 people.

"Everyone had their role in the organization," she said.

"The masterminds are not caught very often. He seems to be a big-time
marijuana dealer and quite proud of it."

Police found $300,000 in cash at Briere's home, and prosecutors say he used
most of his profits to buy properties in the Lower Mainland and the B.C.
interior.

Now the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency wants $1.3 million from Brier,
who will learn his fate within two weeks.