TOP COP TO CHECK POT JUSTICE

Canada's top law enforcement official will look into stiffer penalties for
people who start marijuana grow operations.

Solicitor General Wayne Easter visited Surrey Wednesday to get a first-hand
look at the city's increasing problem with marijuana grow operations.

RCMP have said as many as 4,500 grow ops exist in Surrey, representing
about six per cent of the city's households.

Surrey Coun. Dianne Watts said criminals are attracted to the province
because of the "lax" penalties regarding marijuana grow operations.

Easter said Surrey RCMP made a compelling argument for stronger justice
measures.

"What I want to determine is just how are the penalties being enforced,"
Easter said.

"What is the sentencing on marijuana grow operations? So what will the
facts show when we look at what's going through the court system, on
whether the penalties have been there. I will certainly look at that at a
future date."

He said it was made clear to him local RCMP are frustrated with the
revolving door at the court house.

He said it was apparent people who enforce the law feel "there should be a
very heavy price paid for being involved in this kind of serious crime.

"I want to compare notes on what kind of penalties the courts are in fact
issuing," Easter said.

"Are the penalties being enforced as outlined in the law?"

He discounted the notion of giving local law enforcement the proceeds of crime.

"I don't think we want to find ourselves in a situation where we're
depending on the proceeds of crime to look after the costs of law
enforcement. It's a bigger issue than that," Easter said.

"We have been making progress in (law enforcement); we've increased the
funding for both organized crime and national security issues in budget 2001.

"There's always more that can be done, not just on a proceeds of crime issue."

He wants to bring back to Ottawa a plan that will see local marijuana grow
operations "eventually booted out of existence."

Surrey RCMP Const. Tim Shields said later Easter didn't appear surprised by
anything he'd learned on his visit. "He has his ear to the ground, this
wasn't a big surprise, but it's good he could see it first-hand," Shields said.