PROF 'MASTERMINDED' POT OPERATION

Crown counsel Ernie Froess sees UVic sociology professor Jean Eleanor
Veevers as the mastermind of a sophisticated and elaborate growing
operation.

Defence lawyer Mel Hunt likens the debt-ridden Veevers to a cartoon
character Wile E. Coyote, forever trying to outfox the Roadrunner and
failing.

Veevers, 55, pleaded guilty to cultivating marijuana and possession of
marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and was to be sentenced Friday by
Justice Dean Wilson in B.C. Supreme Court.

Wilson heard arguments over the issue of a jail term or a conditional
sentence which Veevers could serve at home. The sentencing is to continue
next Friday.

Froess said an RCMP drug squad raid on April 18, 1997 netted 122 marijuana
plants and 8.6 kilograms of marijuana. He described the grow operation as
sophisticated and elaborate, including carbon-dioxide generators and
dehumidifiers.

Froess told the court Veevers, a sociology professor at UVic since 1980
wanted to retire at age 55.

She earned $88,000 at UVic, he said, "And she still finds it necessary to
grow marijuana."

Froess said the police found evidence Veevers had been growing marijuana
since 1981 and expected revenues of $90,000 a year from the operation.

In written evidence seized during the raid, a summary of Veevers' assets
included $386,000 for her house, $195,000 in RRSPs and $250,000 in a UVic
pension.

Hunt agreed his client's home had an assessed value of $386,000. He said she
paid $317,000 for it and it was currently valued at between $279,000 and
$289,000.

He said Veevers had debts of $33,000, owed $7,200 property taxes and paid
$3,000 or $5,000 to B.C. Hydro for electricity she stole for the grow
operation as well as paying them $600 a month to satisfy a $9,000 bill.

Hunt said Veevers was "dreaming in Technicolor" and compared her with Wile
E. Coyote chasing the Roadrunner.

"The dream goes on as long as the Acme Co. keeps sending devices."

Hunt agreed with the length of sentence suggested by Froess - three to six
months - but said it should be a conditional sentence served in the
community with no curfew, some community service and drug and alcohol
counselling as directed by the probation officer.

"Where is there any factor of deterrence?" Wilson asked. "Even if there was
a curfew, what's changed in her life?"

Veevers's lawyer said that the punishment to her was having a criminal
conviction.

Eleanor and Alan Randell 1821 Knutsford Place, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8N 6E3
E-mail: arandell@islandnet.com

Telephones: Home 250-721-0356, Work (Alan) 250-952-2926

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst