MAYOR CALLS FOR TOUGH JAIL SENTENCES FOR GROWERS

Current Jail Terms Not An 'Adequate Deterrent'

Judges need to get tough with convicted hydroponic marijuana growers,
said Ann Mulvale at a press conference following Operation Green Sweep
raids, Wednesday.

Mulvale is concerned that the sentences imposed on those convicted of
operating of hydroponic marijuana grow houses are not an "adequate
deterrent."

She is proud of the fact that the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario (AMO) has passed a resolution calling for "more meaningful
jail time for offenders," she said.

Mulvale, who chairs AMO, said tougher laws in the United States have
had a profound effect on such illegal operations and maintains that
Canada should follow suit. The stakes are too high to allow the status
quo to continue, she continued, given the risk to emergency personnel
and the public and the drain on resources to combat the problem.

"It takes a large amount of taxpayers' money," she said. "It is
something we have to deal with in a more substantive way."

A case which illustrates this involves a man charged in connection
with a grow operation on McKinnon Avenue in Georgetown.

On Oct. 4, 2001 Halton Regional Police executed a search warrant at
that address where they discovered approximately 500 marijuana plants
along with $10,000 worth of hydroponic equipment.

The hydro meter had been bypassed and holes had been cut into the
floors and ceiling to vent vapours.

During the search of the premises police found Trung Dung Hoang, 39,
hiding in an upstairs closet. He was arrested and charged with growing
marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking,
theft of electricity and occupant injuring building.

On Jan. 3 of this year, after serving three months "dead time"
awaiting trial, Hoang pleaded guilty and was sentenced to an
additional one month in jail on each charge to be served concurrently.