POT BUSTS SHUT DOWN THREE CITY GROW OPERATIONS

Winnipeg police seized almost $200,000 worth of marijuana and related
equipment after shutting down three grow operations inside the city yesterday.

Together with RCMP, police executed search warrants at operations on
Campbell Street, William Avenue and Inkster Boulevard.

They seized $165,000 worth of pot plants and $18,000 worth of growing
equipment. An adult was arrested and charged at each location.

The drug busts were part of a national campaign -- called Operation Green
Sweep -- prompted by conversations between Ontario police officers, who
have noticed a marked increase in indoor grow operations over the last few
years.

Police in the province worked together to develop a plan which saw officers
from each individual service searching a grow operation on the same date.

The plan was later extended to police services throughout the country, with
the help of Criminal Intelligence Service Canada.