ACCUSED POT FARMER BEATEN BY GANG

A 42-year-old Rigaud man is in critical condition in a Montreal
hospital after being attacked in his home on St. Georges St. at
approximately 4 a.m. Saturday morning.

Several suspects forced their way into the victim's house, beat him
and fled. Cst. Ronald Mcinnis said the attack took place in front of
the man's family and that one of his two children was treated for
shock. The man underwent surgery Saturday night.

The victim had been arrested in 2004 on charges of having produced
marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and illegally possessing
firearms. He is due to appear to court in April. SQ investigators
will not designate the incident a home invasion until they have
determined whether the assailants were known to the victim.
Investigators have not determined whether anything was stolen from the home.

Last Wednesday, Surete du Quebec investigators dismantled a cannabis
greenhouse (made of earth) on Harley Street in Notre Dame de l'Ile
Perrot and seized 450 marijuana plants as well as growing equipment,
for a total worth of approximately $600,000.