VERTIGO DRUG CASE PROCEEDS

A complex case that culminated in one of the largest drug busts in
Ontario continued to move through the justice system, Friday.

Twenty men from the Toronto area are facing dozens of charges in
connection to last fall's $32-million drug bust at eastern and central
Ontario.

A tip to provincial police about a potential marijuana growing
operation near Stirling in September sparked a month-long undercover
operation involving several police units in the Quinte region. The
effort culminated Oct. 11 with raids and search warrants executed on
several local and metro-area sites.

One locale, said police at the time, turned out to be a major ecstasy
pill factory and drug processing plant in Markham, where officers also
found two young children who were placed in care of the children's aid
society.

Total street value of drugs and equipment seized exceeded $32 million
plus about $150,000 in cash of various currencies.

Initially, 34 people were charged in 22 different locations.

The covert investigation, dubbed "Vertigo," involved OPP Eastern
Region and Project Longarm, the drug enforcement service unit for
Hastings and Prince Edward counties which also involves Belleville
police.

While the suspects arrested are from the Toronto area, the original
marijuana growing location was suspected to be near Stirling - police
raided Hollowview Road, at RR 5 Madoc and 1880 Wallbridge-Loyalist Rd.
Police seized 16,689 marijuana plants with an estimated value of $16.6
million; 71.8 kg of marijuana, valued at $439,000; approximately
100,000 pills of ecstasy, valued at $2 million; 46 kg of powdered
ecstasy, valued at $12 million; two kg of heroin, valued at $500,000;
and 1.5 kg of cocaine, value $150,000.

At the chemical drug lab, besides drugs and about $150,000 in cash of
various currencies, police also seized motor vehicles, including a
late model Lexus, campers and generators.

Before the Ontario Court of Justice, Friday, a number of the accused,
their lawyers and a Cantonese interpreter attempted to sort out dates
for a preliminary hearing into the matter.

"Scheduling is a nightmare," Judge Geoff Griffin said as a number of
dates were proposed with week of Dec. 3 set for a preliminary hearing.