DOMESTIC DISPUTE TIPS POLICE TO POT CROP

A London woman planted the seed of her own arrest last December when she
called police after being struck by her spouse, then gave them her house
key so they could arrest him.

Deborah L. Logan was waiting for the officers outside her Wonderland Road
South residence that day, federal prosecutor Dave Rowcliffe told Judge Alan
Baker on Wednesday.

With her key and her permission, they entered the home in search of Darrell
T. Dubreuil, now 38.

An odor of marijuana led the officers to the basement and a cardboard box
full of pot.

Rowcliffe said the co-operative Logan, 45, then led police to a basement
room where a mini-marijuana farm was thriving. Police seized 28 plants
about 46 centimetres high, plus growing lights and other equipment.

STREET VALUE

All told, the prosecutor said the marijuana seized amounted to nearly 300
grams and had an estimated street value of $1,100.

Rowcliffe told court the woman insisted the crop was for personal use and
the officers found no evidence to dispute that.

Logan pleaded guilty to a cultivation of narcotic charge and Rowcliffe
withdrew a second count of simple possession. Two similar charges against
Dubreuil were withdrawn.

Baker was told Logan has a record of two drug convictions from 1974.

The accused and Dubreuil, who pleaded guilty to an assault charge arising
from the domestic incident, are still together. Rowcliffe said a fine
consistent with the $1,100 street value would be appropriate, and Baker
agreed.

Copyright (c) 1998 The London Free Press a division of Sun Media Corporation.