GANGS TAKE POT WAR TO HOMES

It's a scenario the clandestine marijuana farmer dreads: The door of his
suburban pot plantation is kicked in and armed men order everyone inside to
the floor.

But it's not cops with a search warrant -- it's rival gangsters looking for
drugs and money. "Unfortunately it's becoming typical," York Region Det.
Paul LaSalle said yesterday.

"Home invasions typically aren't random. They know what they're wanting so
there's usually some sort of inside knowledge."

The latest example came Tuesday afternoon, when three men stormed into a
spacious home in a new subdivision in Vaughan.

They pointed a gun at one of the four adults in the home and began
searching the home.

It wouldn't have taken them long to find the $200,000 worth of marijuana
plants growing in the basement. But while the gunmen's backs were turned,
one of the victims quickly dialled 911.

"As soon as they discover 911 has been called they take off just before
police arrive," LaSalle said.

Children At Home

The three invaders, all Vietnamese men, escaped in a light-coloured
four-door car and a light grey minivan.

Unlike many other grow homes, police believe the couple growing the dope
were also living there with their three children, all under the age of
nine. The children, present during the robbery, have been taken into care
by the Children's Aid Society.

Their parents --whose names were not released -- face numerous charges.

Police estimate the average grow house can turn a half-million dollar
profit each year, and that up to 10,000 are operating across the country.
Earlier this month, police raided 180 houses, seized $73-million worth of
dope and charged 163 people.