IMMIGRANT WORKERS FOUND INNOCENT IN DOPE FARM BUST

Five Asian immigrants arrested after they were found working on a
massive rural dope farm did not know they were breaking the law, a
judge has ruled.

The five accused were among 28 Asian immigrants arrested in October
2005 after RCMP seized nearly $20 million worth of weed from a farm
near Sundown, a small southeastern Manitoba community near the
Canada-U.S. border.

The accused -- all free on bail -- were charged with production of
marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

"I am satisfied that all five accused were ignorant that the plant
that they were harvesting was marijuana or some prohibited substance
and as a consequence did not have the requisite knowledge for either
offence," ruled Justice Deborah McCawley in a 20 page written decision.