POLICE SEIZE $200,000 WORTH OF ILLICIT DRUGS

Local News - Three people face criminal charges in connection with more
than $200,000 worth of illicit drugs seized by police Thursday in another
large seizure of marijuana and cocaine in Simcoe County this week.

Huronia OPP and Barrie police stopped a vehicle on Hwy. 400 near Barrie to
find more than a pound of cocaine and 17 lb. of marijuana in the two
occupants' possession.

Following the arrest, police obtained a warrant to search the driver's home
and seized his car as evidence.

Once at the River Road residence in Wasaga Beach, police found more
marijuana, as well as anabolic steroids and a Tazer stun gun.

A third person, a man, was arrested at the home. The estimated value of the
drugs is $215,174.

The three, including a Wasaga Beach man and woman and a Singhampton man,
face numerous charges, including possession of cocaine and marijuana for
the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Const. Tim Garland of Huronia West OPP said grow operations and drug
seizures are not only occurring with greater frequency lately, but are more
dangerous than they used to be.

"The public has to understand that this, and all these grow operations, is
not a little harmless bit of marijuana anymore," he said.

"Canada has an international reputation for the quality of its marijuana.
The stuff is sent south of the border and is exchanged for cocaine, heroin
and weapons - that stuff comes back into our communities."