PROJECT POTLUCK

Bust Indicative Of Big Problem

There may be a breakthrough in the city's fight against residential
marijuana labs, but the conclusion of a 10-month police investigation
dubbed Project Potluck will leave residents feeling anything but lucky when
it comes to our substantial drug problem.

The massive drug sting, undertaken by Peel Regional Police and a number of
other police organizations, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP) and the U.S.-based Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), wrapped up
Wednesday with 21 arrests and nearly $8 million worth of marijuana seized
in Mississauga.

In June of last year, an investigation by officers from Peel's Morality
Bureau into home-grown marijuana labs revealed several Mississauga-based
retail hydroponics companies were directly involved.

Project Potluck entailed establishing a residence to be utilized as a
hydroponics lab, and, with the help of an undercover DEA officer,
purchasing equipment and seedling marijuana plants from Mississauga companies.

Acting Superintendent John Nielsen said store employees arranged to help
the officer establish an illegal drug operation and

agreed to accept the final product for trafficking purposes.

"We moved a step above the grower. This is going to take a significant dent
out of (home-grown pot labs)," said Nielsen.

All Seasons Hydroponics, 1000 Dundas St. E., was one of four hydroponics
stores in the city charged.

Five residential hydroponics labs in Mississauga, including one on Cawthra
Rd. just north of Lakeshore Rd. E., were dismantled Wednesday resulting in
the seizure of about 4,000 plants and 388 pounds of harvested marijuana.

Numerous proceeds of crime, including a luxury Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
and cash totalling $230,000, were also seized.

"We need to take the profits out of this business," said Nielsen.

"People are thinking they will get a small fine or maybe three months in
jail if they get caught, but they stand to make $500,000 in one year if
they don't get caught," Nielsen said.

Nielsen added marijuana operations foiled in the last three years have a
strong connection with Asian organized crime.

Peel police have investigated a number of violent robberies relating to
hydroponics operations.

"The profit in this business is huge and when you're talking about the
quantity of money that is involved here, people are prepared to take a lot
of risks and do just about anything," said Inspector Don Panchuk of the
RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit.

Pot-growing operations in the city have shot up in recent years.

In 2000, Peel police dismantled 72 ydroponics labs in Mississauga, a
whopping increase from 12 in 2000. This year to date, Peel police have
seized 27 labs in the city.

Nielsen said Mississauga's proximity to the airport, coupled with the
minimal risk, are among the reasons for the massive increase and popularity
in pot-growing.