HARD TIME PUSHED

Stiff Sentences Likely For Molson Plant Grow-Op

FIVE MEN who pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with the giant
marijuana grow-op at the former Molson brewery in Barrie may get
sentences more drastic than any handed out in Canadian history for the
same crime. Joint submissions by lawyers suggested four-to five-year
penitentiary time for production and possession of marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking, where previously the norm has been sentences
less than two years -- often with only a house arrest imposed.

Federal Crown attorney Karen Jokinen told the judge he must hit hard
with his sentence because grow operations cause a huge risk to society.

"These individuals were facilitating the biggest, most sophisticated,
most secretive grow operation in Canadian history," she said, noting
hidden doors and secret walls inside the Molson plant made it
difficult for police to discover the giant jungle-like operation last
year.

The production reaped at least $60 million a year and was often
exchanged in the U.S. for cocaine and weapons intended for Canadian
distribution. "They couldn't have been so stupid as to not know that,"
Jokinen said.

A 'JOKE'

But defence lawyer Randal Barrs suggested the big fuss about grow
operations is nothing but a "joke" to be compared to alcohol during
the years of prohibition.

"It is the criminalization of marijuana that has caused a criminal
element and organized crime -- just like prohibition," he said, noting
alcohol and cigarettes cause far more damage to society.

"There is a huge demand for marijuana that is not going to go away,"
he said. "If we stop it in Canada, it's not going to fall out of
heaven like manna -- it will have to come from South America which is
far worse."

Lawyers agreed that the superintendent of the operation, Michael
DiCicco, who was nicknamed "Chief" by co-workers, shouldn't go to jail
because he is sick. Barrs alleged police failed to give DiCicco his
medication which resulted in a heart attack and a quadruple bypass
operation.

TOO YOUNG

One other accused will not likely get a penitentiary sentence because
he is too young, lawyers said. Justice James Crawford reserved his
decision until Friday.