BIG POT GROW WAS BREWIN'

BARRIE, Ont. -- Police tactical units and K-9 dog teams are still searching
the inside of the former giant Molson's brewery for bombs and booby traps
after police uncovered what they say is the largest and most elaborate
indoor marijuana grow operation in Ontario.

More than 100 officers from combined forces swarmed the massive
three-storey building on Big Bay Point Road yesterday while police
helicopters hovered nearby. Ten people were arrested on the site and taken
into custody and police are tracking more suspects.

Throughout the day and into the night officers went in and out of the
building, carrying special equipment, while officers blocked off the area
from the public.

"This place is huge - there are a lot of good hiding places," said Supt.
Bill Crate of the Ontario Provincial Police.

"We don't know if there are other suspects hiding inside."

He said before police even begin to tally the value of the "thousands and
thousands" of marijuana plants, specially trained units will make sure the
area is safe for the investigators.

"There can be booby traps and bombs - we don't want to take any chances."

The former Molson brewery and bottling plant shut its doors a few years ago
and since then a private developer bought the location and has leased some
of the area to six or seven small businesses. Crate would not elaborate on
whether or not the businesses were a front to the drug operation that has
been under surveillance.

"I can say that it is a very sophisticated, well-organized operation
involving an elaborate growing system."

He said it will take several days to complete the search of the building
and secure the area.

Formal charges will not be laid against the ten individuals until they have
been brought before a Justice of the Peace, possibly today.