SECOND POT-FARM BIGGER THAN FIRST

The owner of a million-dollar marijuana farm near Water Valley had an
even bigger operation near Sundre, a Calgary court heard yesterday.
Michael Paradis, who three weeks ago was denied a conditional sentence
for his Water Valley project, pleaded guilty to three additional charges.

Justice David Wilkins agreed with a joint submission to sentence
Paradis to three years in prison -- a term which will run at the same
time as his current two-year punishment.

Paradis, 46, admitted running a marijuana operation on an acreage near
Sundre which contained more than 2,000 plants. The farm had the
potential to yield $3.5 million annually.

Crown prosecutor Bob Sigurdson said Paradis' "crop sitter," Bertrand
Gaudet, was sentenced to 31 months for his involvement.