328 PLANT CANNABIS GROW FOUND IN WEST LORNE

Police Claim $210,000 Value

WEST LORNE -- Elgin OPP have uncovered what they describe as a
"significant" marijuana grow operation in a rural house here.

Officers conducted a search of a home on Graham Road in the Municipality of
West Elgin on Wednesday where they found 328 marijuana plants growing in
the basement.

A 41-year-old Toronto man and a 53-year-old London, Ont. woman were
arrested and charged as a result of the search.

Const. Jennifer Wilks said the plants had a potential street value of about
$210,000.

"They were nearing the bud stage -- so about two to three weeks from full
maturity," she said of the plants.

In addition to the marijuana, officers seized growing equipment worth
$9,000 and $1,845 in Canadian currency they said was associated with the
operation.

The search also revealed the pair had bypassed the electricity consumption
meter supplying power to the residence.

The pair face charges of production of a controlled substance, possession
of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and theft of hydro
electricity.

They were held in custody and were to appear at a bail hearing in St.
Thomas court this morning.