DOPE HOUSES HIT

Police Post Tip Signs At Scene

Winnipeg police have made two major marijuana grow operation busts
this week -- and both homes were apparently owned by a River Heights
woman. But cops said yesterday that the dope farms, which may be
linked to Asian-based organized crime, likely went undetected by the
innocent landlord.

More than 500 plants

The latest raid occurred yesterday at 588 Sherburn St., where vice
officers seized more than 500 marijuana plants with an estimated
street value of nearly $600,000.

All three floors of the unoccupied 2 1/2-storey West End residence
were devoted to the grow op, said Winnipeg police acting Det.-Sgt.
Myles Riddell.

"It was strictly a grow operation," Riddell added.

Officers clad in coveralls worked into the afternoon yesterday,
carting out plants in various stages of growth along with growing equipment.

On the front lawn, was a sign encouraging neighbours to call Crime
Stoppers if they had any more information on the home.

"Any advertising is good," Riddell said, explaining that police have
been using the sign during raids for the past several months and it
has translated into some tips.

Two people were arrested, but no other details were available by press
time last night.

On Tuesday, police raided a 2 1/2 -storey Fort Rouge home at 123 Scott
St., seizing 866 mature plants, along with 259 clones that were stored
in a refrigerator.

The illicit harvest, which allegedly took up the entire
2,142-square-foot unoccupied residence, had an estimated street value
of $1.2 million.

No arrests were reported in that bust.

The owner of both homes, who was described by a River Heights
neighbour as recently widowed, couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.

Police have made more than 100 grow op busts this year.