PRISON TIME FOR GROW-OP 'CARETAKER'

An Alberta man was sentenced yesterday to four years in prison for his
role in a massive underground dope operation near Dauphin. Erik
Freeman Johnson, 38, was convicted at trial last September of one
count each of possession for the purpose of trafficking, cultivation
of marijuana, conspiracy to cultivate marijuana and conspiracy to
possess for the purpose of trafficking.

Justice Donald Bryk dismissed defence arguments Johnson played only a
minor role in the operation and did not directly profit from it.

"Even though there is no evidence of payment, I am satisfied he was
more than a passerby or casual visitor to the site," Bryk said,
pointing to receipts in Johnson's name for dope growing equipment and
evidence he acted as a "caretaker" in the underground bunker.

Eight Railway Cars

Mounties raided the operation on Oct. 11, 2001, and uncovered eight
railway cars buried underground. In six of the railway cars were 1,400
marijuana plants. Another car served as living quarters and another
housed the operation's power supply. Police estimated the value of the
marijuana grown in the bunker at $1 million.

Johnson was the last of four accused to be sentenced in the case and
the only accused to go to trial. Reputed kingpin Joel Maguet was
sentenced in March 2002 to five years and three months in prison.
Patrick Richardson, who admitted to being a caretaker and "waterer,"
was sentenced that same month to 30 months in prison. Ryan
Grywacheski, on whose property the bunker was located, was sentenced
last November to 30 months in jail.