MAN ANGRY AFTER COPS SEARCH HOME FOR POT

A Preston family is dealing with sidelong glances and silence from
neighbours after police searched their home on an anonymous tip for
evidence of a marijuana grow operation on Monday afternoon.

Six or seven police officers from the Waterloo Regional Police drug squad
searched the townhome on Walter Street Monday afternoon.

Rob Hammond and his common-law wife, Samantha Szabo, are shocked and angry
the police raided their home. Hammond said he was "ripped out of the house
and thrown on the ground" in his front yard. "There was no need to treat me
like that," he said. "Because I have tattoos doesn't mean I cause trouble
every day," he said.

Hammond said he did not grow marijuana plants and is looking into lodging a
formal complaint.

Staff Sergeant Ray Massicotte said they did not find the suspected
marijuana grow operation they were were tipped off to expect. "It wasn't as
fruitful as we thought it would be but we were sure our information was
good because there were remnants of a grow operation," said Massicotte.

The police found some evidence but have not charged Hammond with any crime
as the investigation is still ongoing.