OFFICERS RAID 4 DRUG GROW HOUSES

As Country Mourns Loss Of 4 RCMP Officers, York Police Remove 1,500 Plants
From Area Grow Ops

As news of four RCMP officers shot and killed during a drug raid in Alberta
came across the wire, York Regional Police were conducting a series of
marijuana grow operation raids across the region.

Four sophisticated pot grow houses in Queensville, East Gwillimbury,
Whitchurch-Stouffville and Markham were raided Thursday.

York police found more than 1,500 plants with an estimated street value of
$1.5 million, in the four raids and arrested five people.

Local officers have raided 18 grow ops so far this year.

Last year, York police busted 132 illegal drug operations and Det.-Sgt.
Karen Noakes said this serious problem is not going away.

"Not at all. The growers are adapting to the different things we do and
then we have to adapt again."

With marijuana grow operations being such a huge problem in York Region,
the news of four Mounties being murdered in a similar situation hit close
to home.

Local cops offered condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the
Mounties who were shot and killed after being led to a farm in the tiny
hamlet of Rochfort Bridge, AB to investigate stolen property and a
marijuana grow lab.

All four were shot inside a shed on the property while staking out the farm.

A fifth man, the farm's owner, was also found dead, apparently turning the
gun on himself after shooting the four officers.

Police Chief Armand La Barge -- in Israel this week as a part of a six-day
mission on anti-terrorism strategies with other police leaders from across
Ontario -- took part in a moment of silence at the Canadian Embassy in Tel
Aviv Friday morning in honour of the slain officers.

Det.-Sgt. Noakes did not want to comment on the safety and security of
officers involved in local drug raids and the force did not use the RCMP
officers' deaths as an opportunity to reiterate its call for tougher
sentences on marijuana growers.

"Today is a day to reflect on the dedication of these (RCMP) officers, and
all officers, who put their lives on the line every day," said acting Chief
Eric Jolliffe.

Newmarket-Aurora MP Belinda Stronach offered her condolences to the
families and agreed with the force's position.

"When law enforcement officers fall in the line of duty, it is a national
tragedy that affects us all. These are men and women who are willing to put
their own lives at risk every day to make our lives safer," she said,
adding now is the time to pay respect to the fallen officers, their
families and the police services, not for a discussion of the danger posed
by marijuana grow ops.

She did promise, however, to return to that issue soon.

Ms Stronach may get that chance sooner than later as a bill is before the
House of Commons to make pot possession a fine but set mandatory sentences
for growers.

'The growers are adapting to the different things we do and then we have to
adapt again.'