GRITS TO BLITZ GROW-OPS

Summit To Seek Ways To Counter Drug Gangs

Canada has a growing reputation as a marijuana supplier to the world,
and Ontario politicians are looking for ways to curtail the reefer
madness. Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter said yesterday his
government and police chiefs will co-host the "Green Tide Summit" to
combat illegal grow-ops like the pot factory busted in a Barrie beer
plant.

"The fact that organized crime is behind these operations is of grave
concern to police and the citizens of Ontario," he said.

"These groups are well organized, well financed and ruthless in their
pursuit of profits, and we need to be just as relentless in our
efforts to put them out of business and send them to jail."

NDP MPP Peter Kormos said the solution to the problem is clear: Make
pot use legal and suck the profits out of illegal operations.

"Marijuana has become an intoxicant of choice for a huge part of our
population across the board -- doctors, lawyers, police officers,
politicians, journalists and judges," he said.

"So let's get real."

Kwinter said legalizing marijuana isn't the answer because most of the
crop is headed to the U.S. so it's not just domestic problem.

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police says weaker laws in Canada
compared to the U.S. have contributed to the grow-op explosion that
has adversely affected communities.

Kwinter said the summit, held in Toronto March 4-5, will bring
together utility officials, realtors, police and politicians to work
out a plan of action.

But York Police Chief Armand LaBarge said the conference won't offer
his drug cops much of anything new. They've already been working with
hydro companies for a few years.

York Region had been hit particularly hard by the phenomenon. Hydro
companies estimate in Markham alone, one in 100 homes are being used
as a hydroponic. Some growers are paying for hydro and using families
to provide cover and tend crops.

"Last year alone we've found 22 children in these residences," said
LaBarge.