HAVELOCK HOMES PART OF NATION-WIDE DRUG SWEEP

An innocent-looking bungalow east of Norwood was just one of three local
homes where OPP uncovered Asian pot-growing rings Wednesday.

Around noon, OPP officers pulled 335 plants from a home on Dummer-Asphodel
Road, located off Hwy. 7 E., after arresting two people early in the morning.

The home was "a business" with every room, except two, being used to grow
marijuana.

"The home was purchased recently by Asian individuals and the investigation
began from there," said Detective Staff Sergeant Rick Barnum with the OPP's
drug enforcement section.

Police seized the plants and 30 grow lights, with an estimated value of
$365,000, from the residence.

Police said someone had drilled through the home's foundation and hooked up
their electrical equipment to an exterior source to bypass the hydro metre.

Police said they were not only growing pot but stealing hydro as well.

Nhi Thi Phung, 44, and Trung Van Do, 45, of Norwood-Asphodel Township, are
charged with production of a controlled substance, possession for the
purpose of trafficking and theft of hydro. They are held in custody until a
court appearance.

This was just one of 150 Canadian busts on Jan. 30. Police services across
the nation united for Operation Green Sweep, and there was a lot of green
to be had.

From coast to coast 162 people were arrested and $56.2 million in pot from
hidden labs, many in high-end homes, was seized.

But the amount only puts a dent in the illegal drug trade.

"This is an epidemic," said Det. Staff Sgt. Barnum.

"We have a 100-per cent intent of making Ontario an undesirable place for
hydroponic labs. We are looking at all kinds of angles to stop it."

He added many labs are operating in rural Ontario because homes are cheaper
to buy. Det. Staff Sgt. Barnum said crime rings will purchase the homes,
have them paid off in months and grow and harvest pot every 14 weeks.

Similar to the bust on Dummer-Asphodel Road, OPP raided another home on
County Road 8 at 9 a.m. during Operation Green Sweep. Police found 200
plants and 26 grow lights with a value of $226,000. Police said hydro was
being ripped off at the home as well.

Van Tam Lee, 31, of Norwood-Asphodel Township is charged with production of
a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. He
remains in custody.

A third search warrant was executed on the 2nd Line of Belmont at the same
time as the others. Police seized 527 marijuana plants and 40 growing
lights worth $567,000. Again hydro was stolen to operate the lab, police said.

Kim Tam Duong, 31, of Toronto is charged with production of a controlled
substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Pot was seized in the City of Kawartha Lakes as well. Police raided a home
in former Somerville Township and one just north of Fenelon Falls. In
total, 1,180 pot plants were seized.

"We haven't had a chance to follow up and see where their market (to sell
the pot) is," said Det. Staff Sgt. Barnum.

"Quite a bit was going to the States."