COPS HUNT 12 IN HOSTAGE ORDEAL

"The manhunt is on," OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said last
night.

A massive police search was under way last night near Minden in
cottage country to track down as many as 12 masked and camouflaged
assailants who Fantino said beat up, shot at and held hostage six
innocent victims who happened upon a $3-million marijuana grow operation.

"We will apprehend these criminals," Fantino vowed in calling for the
courts to start treating illegal marijuana growing more seriously.

With the attackers still on the loose, police warned locals to not
pick up any strangers.

Three hunters and three contract workers for the ministry of natural
resources are recovering from the three-hour ordeal yesterday in
Haliburton County.

One group was looking for some wild game while the other was in the
area doing some mapping.

Together they happened upon a marijuana harvest and about a dozen
masked men who assaulted them and held them hostage at gunpoint,
Fantino said.

Eventually they escaped and one was treated in hospital.

"They are terrified," said Fantino. "They are perfectly innocent
law-abiding citizens who were victimized by elements of organized
crime. They were ambushed.

"Everybody should be outraged. Marijuana growing is not a victimless
crime," said Fantino. "It involves organized crime and firearms. There
needs to be meaningful consequences for the people involved in this."

The culprits left behind 18 bags of marijuana with a street value of
more than $3 million.

"Each plant is worth $1,000. The profits are enormous, which is why
these people take these risks," Fantino said.

The OPP has sent tactical teams and canine officers to assist in the
search, along with the OPP helicopter.