EDMONTON GOING TO POT

Drug Exported To U.S. And Mexico

EDMONTON -- Edmonton is becoming a marijuana exporter as local drug
growers ship their illegal products to British Columbia, the U.S. and even
Mexico, local police are warning after their latest bust.

"The product that is being grown in this area is actually being exported
out of the province and out of the country as well," Staff Sgt. Nick Bok,
of the city drug control section, said yesterday.

On Wednesday, city police drug cops seized more than 350 hydroponically
grown marijuana plants, as well as oil and equipment totalling about
$400,000, after raiding three separate homes.

'BIG PROBLEM'

Five people face charges of producing a controlled drug, possession and
trafficking.

"It's a big problem in the city and it's a big problem in the province,"
Bok said. "And the Edmonton Police Service is not going to disregard this
problem."

Bok's seen reports that Alberta dope is getting shipped to other provinces
and the U.S. as home-grown dope becomes more popular and potent.

"I recall reading one report saying it's even going to Mexico, which is
completely the opposite of what was happening 10 or 15 years ago," he said.

'FREELANCE THING'

Wednesday's bust was made after three months of surveillance. Hydroponic
operations can be set up almost anywhere and, when it comes to police
uncovering the dope crops, smaller is safer for growers, Bok said.

"The fewer plants, the harder it is to detect. The bigger operations are
easier for us to detect," he said.

Hydroponics has become increasingly popular over the past few years. The
dope fetches up to about $3,000 a pound.

"It's a freelance thing," Bok said. "People from all walks of society (sell
it). Some of these people are unemployed, some of these people have
legitimate jobs."