UNDERGROUND GARDENER

Sophisticated Grow Op Nets Jail

Patrick Richardson worked as a gardener of the most unusual kind -- living
underground in a converted railway car, tending to thousands of marijuana
plants destined for sale in Manitoba and beyond.

Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to possession for the purposes of trafficking
and Judge Wesley Swail sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in prison for being the
caretaker of the cannabis.

In October 2001, when RCMP raided the most sophisticated bunker-style grow
operation this province has ever seen, Richardson's false teeth, guitar,
radio and clothing were seized from the small subterranean suite.

"Because he was such a nice fellow and knew about trailers, he was hired to
do the job," said defence lawyer Greg Brodsky. "He was the lowest rung. He
was the waterboy."

Crown attorney Erin Magas told court eight rail cars were bought and buried
on a sprawling property near Dauphin sometime in 1999.

Two years later, when police raided the property, six of the cars contained
1,406 growing marijuana plants. The seventh was filled with $40,000 worth
of electrical equipment, water systems and generators.

The eighth car, where Richardson lived, was a self-contained living unit --
fitted with a fridge, stove, shower and flushing toilet.

"You could stay down there for an extended period of time without ever
having to come to the surface," Magas said.

WORKED ONE MONTH

For a salary of about $3,000 a month, Richardson was to live underground
and water and fertilize the weed crop. He only worked in the bunker for
about one month before it was raided.

Last week, Joel Maguet was sentenced to more than four years in prison for
his role as one of the operation's kingpins.

Sources have previously identified Maguet as a former Spartans motorcycle
gang member.

While Richardson was not the brains behind the intricate idea, Magas said
he played an essential role.

"(Caretakers) are necessary to the functioning of these grow operations,"
she said, adding police estimate this operation could have pulled in close
to $1.5 million annually.

Brodsky said his client is a "simple fellow" who should have known better
than to take a job at the bunker.

"I know I did wrong by being there, but I'm willing to pay for my part in
it," Richardson told court.

Property owner Ryan Grywacheski still faces several charges.