STIFFER PENALTIES URGED FOR MARIJUANA GROWERS

Safe at home

While the illegal business is lucrative, police forces attest it's the loose
jail sentences and minimal fines that are allowing the severe pot-growing
problem in Mississauga to continue.

"This is a crime that is endangering neighbours and the community as a
whole," said Peel Detective Sergeant Paul Donnelly of the Morality Bureau.
"So it becomes discouraging for police when we're seeing the accused parties
go to court and receive lax sentences."

Growing steadily frustrated, Peel Police and other agencies like the
Canadian Police Association (CPA) have called on the federal government to
impose minimum jail time for those convicted of growing marijuana, an
activity which has reared its ugly head more than 130 times in Mississauga
this year.

Last month, the largest pot lab ever to operate in Ontario to date, was
found in a Mississauga industrial complex, complete with 9,500 plants worth
nearly $11 million.

"We'd like to see some minimum sentences to give judges direction that this
is a serious crime," said CPA vice-president David Griffin, a former Peel
Regional police officer. "(These offenders) are literally walking away."

The collective police stance comes just days after Operation Green Sweep.

The nation-wide police blitz on pot labs resulted in $73 million worth of
marijuana being seized and 163 people arrested.

In Mississauga, police seized eight labs totalling more than $6.8 million.

Peel Police sources say they've seen cases play out in court and the
frequent results have been small fines and occasionally, jail terms of three
months.

A small price police argue considering profits from this business often
reach $500,000 per lab.

Peel Inspector David Van Loosen, who heads the drug squad, said the health
and safety risks to the community are substantial.

The bypassing of hydro meters and heavy lighting required for these labs has
led to more than a handful of residential fires in Mississauga this year, as
well as a number of blown transformers, resulting in power outages in
neighbourhoods.

In addition, young children have been found to be living in the residences,
and neighbours are exposed to the harmful gases.

"No residential community is immune from this criminal activity, and if the
perpetrators get caught, what's the worst that can happen?" asked Van
Loosen. "Our communities need protection from the violent criminal element
participating in these ventures."

And, if the feds decriminalize pot, the dangers of pot labs would be
"extremely" watered-down, added Griffin.

In the U.S., convicted drug traffickers or producers receive sentences of
between seven and 15 years, Peel Police said.

Hydroponics labs are popping up everywhere in the City, and residents should
be suspicious of a home in their neighbourhood if:

no one ever appears to be home, or people show up for only a few hours and
then leave again

there are indications the ground has been dug up around the hydro box

windows remain closed or boarded up

snow isn't shovelled on a regular basis.