RCMP RAID POT FARMS, SEIZE PLANTS AND CASH

Three charged in first major marijuana haul of season

Mounties harvested armfuls of fresh marijuana last week when they raided a
farm property near Argyle and seized 176 cannabis plants, some standing more
than six feet tall.

The seizure -- officers plucked 187 plants in all after they went to a
second property -- is the first major marijuana haul of the season, and
police say there could be more as they learn about other outdoor grows in
the coming weeks.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Steve Saunders said investigators have charged a husband
and wife, and another man, with growing the marijuana, as well as being in
possession of proceeds of crime.

Saunders said officers also confiscated $53,000 in cash, four rifles -- one
of them was loaded -- two all-terrain vehicles, a Bobcat excavator and
several tools.

Police also seized computer equipment related to the manufacture of cards
needed to pirate satellite TV. Officers also seized 72 grams of "magic
mushroom" drugs.

The raid occurred at two properties near Argyle, about seven kilometres
northwest of Stonewall, Sept. 18. Mounties put the marijuana and cash on
display for the media yesterday. Saunders also said the outdoor grow,
located in a bushy area near one of the properties, was ripe to be
harvested, and would have a street value of about $250,000. It was hidden
from view in a small clearing, surrounded by poplar and oak trees.

There is also an indication that the suspects were about to move their grow
operation inside for the winter, as police also seized a number of immature
plants in a hydroponic grow.

Police say besides the plants, they found 17 pounds of dried marijuana.

Mounties learned of the drug operation about two months ago, and waited
until last Wednesday to act to make sure they had enough evidence to obtain
search warrants.

The raid comes a week after a Senate committee recommended that marijuana be
decriminalized, as the war on recreational drug use has so far not stopped
marijuana cultivation and use in Canada.

A House of Commons committee is expected to issue a second report on illicit
drugs in November. Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, who recently
admitted smoking pot in his youth, said the government will study those
findings, but won't unveil Ottawa's position of marijuana decriminalization
before early next year.

Saunders said police won't stop investigating marijuana production and
trafficking, as it is against the law.

However, law enforcement in Manitoba and Canada are more focused on the
trafficking of harder drugs, like cocaine, as it's more closely tied to
organized crime.

Mounties say in the Argyle seizure, there is no evidence to suggest it's
associated with organized crime.

Charged with numerous drug-related offences are Glen Frankie Preston, 37,
Lissa Allison Preston, 31, and Robert Randy Fenske, 45.

Glen Preston is also charged with aggravated assault and uttering threats in
connection to an incident during the weekend. He remains in custody while
the other two suspects have been released.