POT FARM FOUND BELOW GROUND

A secret sliding door that led to an underground lair. A tiny video camera
hidden inside a birdhouse nestled in a tree.

Sounds like something out of a James Bond movie.

And it may be, one day, if Hollywood producers look to La Broquerie for ideas.

Bruce Jeffery, a rural Manitoba resident, pleaded guilty yesterday to
production of marijuana in an elaborate setup that surprised even veteran
police investigators.

In a September 1998 raid, police found Jeffery living underground in a
large bunker where more than 500 healthy marijuana plants were in full bloom.

Police said it was the first-ever underground marijuana grow operation
discovered in Manitoba. Jeffery had purchased and installed a high-powered
generator to supply heat and light to the estimated $1.5-million operation,
court was told. It also allowed the drug growers to circumvent Manitoba
Hydro and avoid detection.

The Crown asked for a two-year prison term. Defence lawyer Jay Prober
requested a conditional sentence.