CANADA METER READER PULLS PLUG ON MARIJUANA FARM

MONTREAL (Reuters) A meter reader for HydroQuebec helped pull the plug
on an indoor marijuana farm after noticing high electricity consumption at
a local warehouse, police said Thursday.

Montreal police said the employee of the provincial governmentowned
utility noticed an unusually high level of power usage when reading the
meter for a small, rented warehouse that was supposed to house electronic
toys.

Obtaining permission to enter the building, he discovered 950 young
marijuana plants flourishing in a brightly lit hydroponic nursery while
freezing winds and snow swirled outside.

Narcotics officers Wednesday seized the equipment and plants, which carried
an estimated street value of C$2 million ($1.4 million). Police were
seeking the hydroponic farm's operators.