COPS WANT LONGER DRUG SENTENCES

Hydroponic Pot On The Increase

In the wake of nine hydroponic dope growing busts so far this year,
Chatham-Kent's top cop wants to see stiffer sentences for repeat
offenders.

Chief Carl Herder appealed to the Chatham-Kent Police Services Board
to take his concerns to higher levels of government, while the
service will lobby the federal prosecutor's office and the Crown
attorney to seek stronger sentences.

The board will take the issue up with council and possibly the
provincial and federal governments.

The chief said growing marijuana often leads to other crimes, as dope
is "the starting point for drug users."

Harder drugs lead to harder efforts to support the habit.

Since Jan. 1, the intelligence and drug enforcement unit has
uncovered nine home-growing operations in Chatham-Kent, seizing $1.8
million worth of marijuana, $50,000 in stolen property and $100,000
in growing equipment.

"Our garage is so full, I don't know what to do with it all," Herder
said of the electrical equipment and specialized lamps

Deputy Chief Jack Chambers said the bulky equipment has to be kept
handy because it is evidence.

He's amazed at what the professional growers are doing in
Chatham-Kent and around the province.

"Entire homes ? either purchased or rented ? are gutted and redone as
hydroponic labs," he said. "These people set up in areas you would
never expect."

Chambers said the conversion can all but ruin a home.

"The moisture and heat affects the structure of the house," he said,
as most operations maintain a humid, warm climate with temperatures
in excess of 30C, prompting the growth of mold.

Hydroponic dope was the third largest cash crop in Ontario in 2001,
Herder said. Despite the problem, few dope growers face stiff
sentences. The chief said the maximum penalty for the cultivation and
distribution of marijuana is 25 years, but most people receive 18- to
36-month sentences.

"The amount of work that goes into preparing a search warrant for
that is disheartening," Herder said.

Neighbours can help police spot situations where homes have been
converted into hydroponic gardens, he said.

Things to look for include:

* windows always covered;

* very little activity outside the house, but evidence of digging
around the hydro box; and

* a lot of traffic or traffic at odd hours coming to the house.

If you see anything suspicious, Herder suggests you call Crime
Stoppers, as 99 per cent of their tips come through that operation.