GROW-OPS THREATEN INNOCENT FAMILY, FRIENDS

City police asked Winnipeggers yesterday to tell them if they're
living in a house where someone is growing marijuana.

Const. Shelly Glover said police want people to call to reduce the
chances of being victims of a home invasion by criminals hoping to
steal marijuana plants or drug money.

The warning came as police investigate a home invasion yesterday
morning on Alexander Avenue in which would-be thieves terrorized an
18-year-old woman with a Taser electric stun gun.

The woman wasn't hurt and the thieves were scared away after she
called police. Officers later found 16 marijuana plants in the home's
basement.

"There is a concern for the safety of family members and friends of
participants in the drug trade," Glover said. "Often family members
and friends become aware of these illegal activities, however, they
choose not to report them.

"These recent incidents clearly demonstrate the dangers of protecting
others from legal ramifications. "Protect yourselves from being
unnecessary victims."

The police warning comes almost a week after three would-be dope
thieves targeted a house in the city's West End at gunpoint, looking
to rip off a marijuana grow operation.

After forcing two of the home's occupants to the floor, the intruders
learned they had targeted the wrong address and they fled. No
marijuana was in the house.

In the latest incident, the female victim fled to a bedroom and called
police. The culprits fled and the woman was not injured.

As police were dismantling the grow operation -- the 16 plants had an
estimated street value of about $18,000 -- a 40-year-old man appeared
at the house.

He was charged with production of marijuana and possession of
marijuana and later released on a promise to appear in court at a
later date. Police are still looking for suspects responsible for the
home invasion.

The first male, the one with the Taser, is described as being 17 or 18
years old, 6-feet tall with a slim build and wide shoulders. He was
wearing a white hoody with the hood pulled up. He was also wearing
gloves and something black covering his mouth and nose.

The second male is about 16 to 17 years old, 5-foot-3 with a small
build. He was wearing a black, puffy jacket with a hood. His face was
also covered with something black covering his lower face.