A MILLION JOINTS SEIZED BY T.O. COPS

Grow-Ops An Epidemic

TORONTO COPS have seized enough pot to roll 1 million joints and have shut
down 293 marijuana growing operations this year. As of Oct. 31, police
officers had scooped about 7,000 kilos of weed off the street -- more than
double the 3,100 kilos of marijuana seized last year, according to crime
statistics reported yesterday to Toronto's budget committee.

Police Chief Julian Fantino said that this year's haul "represents about 1
million joints," and added that the number of hydroponic grow-ops have
exploded in Toronto.

"In 2001, they numbered 33 in total. To date this year, we're at 293 sites
and rising," said Fantino. "The increase in grow sites and their labour
intensive investigation is having a tremendous impact on our resources."

The city's top cop added that grow-ops-- often set up in homes located on
quiet streets -- have become an epidemic in the Greater Toronto Area, one
that poses public threats, including fire and mold.

As of Nov. 25, the force also seized 3 million images of child pornography
-- an increase of 1 million over the total discovered during all of last year.

Child Porn UP

Officers seized 200,000 images of kiddie porn in 2001 and another 1 million
illegal depictions of children in 2002.

Fantino said that his force has dedicated seven officers to capture those
involved with child pornography.

"Our work in detecting and investigating the production and trafficking of
these images is growing exponentially," he said.

"These investigations are very labour intensive and are, in fact,
continuing to be one of the stressors in our policing resources."

The police department wants the city to boost its $677.5 million overall
operating budget by $17.9 million -- or 2.6% -- to $695.4 million.