editor@sunpub.com

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoSun/

By Ian McDougall, Edmonton Sun

(Ed. note: This article is most interesting for being the standard nonsense from a provincial police department to a provincial journalist. It is surprising that it got printed in the Toronot Sun.)

EDMONTON GOING TO POT

Drug Exported To U.S. And Mexico

EDMONTON -- Edmonton is becoming a marijuana exporter as local drug growers ship their illegal products to British Columbia, the U.S. and even Mexico, local police are warning after their latest bust. (Ed. note: And if you believe that you will believe anything, which is what they are counting on. And why would the police be "warning" about the destination of the contraband. If it is so damned dangerous, they should be relieved that it is heading south. Edmonton is a large city which could easily consume the amounts cited in this story.)

"The product that is being grown in this area is actually being exported out of the province and out of the country as well," Staff Sgt. Nick Bok, of the city drug control section, said yesterday.

On Wednesday, city police drug cops seized more than 350 hydroponically grown marijuana plants, as well as oil and equipment totalling about $400,000, after raiding three separate homes.

‘BIG PROBLEM’

Five people face charges of producing a controlled drug, possession and trafficking.

"It’s a big problem in the city and it’s a big problem in the province," Bok said. "And the Edmonton Police Service is not going to disregard this problem."

Bok’s seen reports that Alberta dope is getting shipped to other provinces and the U.S. as home-grown dope becomes more popular and potent.

"I recall reading one report saying it’s even going to Mexico, which is completely the opposite of what was happening 10 or 15 years ago," he said.

‘FREELANCE THING’

Wednesday’s bust was made after three months of surveillance. Hydroponic operations can be set up almost anywhere and, when it comes to police uncovering the dope crops, smaller is safer for growers, Bok said.

"The fewer plants, the harder it is to detect. The bigger operations are easier for us to detect," he said.

Hydroponics has become increasingly popular over the past few years. The dope fetches up to about $3,000 a pound.