COPS HOPE POT BUSTS TURN TIDE

Recent Raids Net Drugs Worth $1.9m

The city police drug unit is hoping a doubling of marijuana seizures
compared to a year ago signals the tide is turning in the war against the
weed. And their haul for the new year received a big boost with the seizure
of 1,900 plants valued at $2.3 million in four different raids yesterday
and Tuesday.

The value of marijuana confiscated last year mostly from home grow
operations reached the $101 million mark, in contrast to $53 million worth
of the drug taken in 2003, city police said yesterday.

The 2004 dollar amount is more than 10 times the $9 million worth seized in
2001.

"One can hope (we're turning the corner) ... you have to try," said Det.
Nina Vaughan.

She said more resources devoted to the joint RCMP-city police Southern
Alberta Marijuana Investigative Team (SAMIT) and a new Calgary
anti-cannabis steering committee has turned up the heat on growers.

"The only solution is to get everybody together to make it unattractive
(for marijuana traffickers) to operate here," said Vaughan, adding tips
from a better-informed public have more than doubled in the past year.

"In the past, (growers) have been able to operate without people knowing
next door."

But she also said the bigger dope bust dollar figure reflects a greater
number of the illegal operations.

"The problem has increased ... it's very lucrative and that's what drives
it," said Vaughan.

In the latest raids, SAMIT targeted homes in the 1100 block of Braxton Rd.
S.W., on Panatella Court N.E., the 100 block of Chaparral Green S.E. and on
Arbour Lake Way N.W.

A man and a woman have been charged with production of marijuana and
possession for the purpose of trafficking.