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 Bridgeburner
Not spiritual at all.
Registered: 09/16/06
Posts: 20,010
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 Two Police Officers Among 20 Charged In Major Marijuana Grow Op Raids 
#8591815 - 07/03/08 02:50 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Toronto Police have taken down 63 marijuana grow ops across the GTA. But this massive operation was personal - it led them back to several of their own officers.
The case began several months ago after police received a tip about some marijuana grow ops that were operating in York Region. The trail took them to one of their own and that investigation ultimately wound up implicating a second cop and three corrections officers.
In all, 19 adults and one young offender are facing a range of charges.
All are accused of being involved in a major marijuana, steroid and money laundering ring operating in the GTA, mostly in York Region. Police believe the group has been running for at least two years and it took what Chief Bill Blair calls "extraordinary investigative measures" to bring it all together. Both York and Peel Police were also involved in the massive sweep.
On Thursday, the probe culminated in 63 pre-dawn and early morning raids and 20 people charged - including the two officers - which Blair believes smashes a major source of illegal drugs in the city.
"As a result of the arrests today, we've also restrained three houses, five vehicles," explains Supt. Jim Ramer, who led the probe. "There was approximately $60,000 in cash that was seized. As well as about 17 pounds of marijuana." Authorities have yet to total up the full value of their hail, but suspect it will be substantial.
The story that marijuana grow ops were taken down isn't a surprise but the alleged involvement of the two officers has left the force stunned. P.C. Kevin Bourne is a nine-year veteran of the force. P.C. Kevin Lee has been with Toronto Police for eight years.
Both are facing a range of serious charges and have been suspended without pay for now.
Blair admits this investigation has been painful but because of the alleged police corruption involved, it was done by the book.
"It is, frankly, a betrayal of all of the hard-working and decent men and women of the Toronto Police Service and the policing profession in this country and right across Ontario, that all of us need to maintain the trust of the people that we serve, and the conduct alleged by these two individual officers and, quite frankly, also by those corrections officers who are accused in today's investigation. That trust is challenged, and we are very disappointed by this investigation."
This case may be destined to be dogged by controversy because the officers could wind up back on the public payroll once they're released from custody.
"The law in Ontario ... requires that even though the criminal conduct alleged has virtually nothing to do with their job and is contrary to every aspect of our oath of office, the protection is extended to those police officers - to those two persons - because they are police officers that they can only be suspended with pay," Blair explains.
"As long as they abide by the conditions we place upon them to report twice a day, as long as they abide by those conditions, that's what the law requires."
Blair notes he's asked the government to change the law but until that happens he has to follow it and have the force keep issuing a paycheque as long as the officers are part of the force.
Charges against P.C. Bourne:
Participate in offence for criminal organization,
Breach of trust,
Conspiracy to produce marijuana,
Possession of marijuana for the purpose of exporting
Possession of marijuana.
Charges against P.C. Lee:
Participate in an offence for criminal organization,
Breach of trust,
Obstruct justice,
Laundering proceeds of crime,
Production of marijuana,
Conspiracy to produce marijuana,
Possession of schedule three substance,
Conspiracy to traffic marijuana
Possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Andrea Piunno will have more on this story on CityNews at Five and Six.
How To Spot A Marijuana Grow Op In Your Neighbourhood
The homes look just like any other on the block. And you may not even be aware something nefarious is going on behind those closed doors. But there are some things that may raise your suspicions and all it takes is a sharp eye and a willingness to report your concerns to cops to make it stop. Here are some common signs of a grow op:
* Little or no human activity
* Neglected lawns and gardens
* Windows always covered and full of condensation
* During winter months, no snow on roof
* People coming and going at odd hours, pulling into the garage and closing the door quickly
* Basement lights on all day long or bright lights escaping from other covered windows
* Garbage is minimal and may contain used soil and plant material
* A strong skunk-like odour emanating from the home
* Items being brought into the home include soil planters, fans, large lights
* An unusual amount of steam coming from vents
* Potential illegal electricity hook-ups
Courtesy of York Regional Police
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 sinenomine
Stranger
Registered: 12/02/06
Posts: 557
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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Re: Two Police Officers Among 20 Charged In Major Marijuana Grow Op Raids [Re: Bridgeburner]
#8591893 - 07/03/08 03:06 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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My god, Canadian police still bother with this shit?
Your country is practically infested with pot, with the highest rates of use in the industrialized world. I would think they could recognize an almost comically lost cause when they saw one.
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ultimo101
Mushroomhead
Registered: 05/12/06
Posts: 676
Last seen: 13 years, 7 months
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Re: Two Police Officers Among 20 Charged In Major Marijuana Grow Op Raids [Re: sinenomine]
#8591953 - 07/03/08 03:21 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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WERE NOT OUR OWN COUNTRY LOL ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Conservatives think the american way is right.
Until those motherfuckers are out of power.. or dead.. this shit keeps going.
but cops dont deserve fuckin weed anyways. Have a cigarette fuckin pig.
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Tripp420
What?
Registered: 06/17/08
Posts: 614
Loc: Northern Nevada
Last seen: 11 years, 2 months
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Re: Two Police Officers Among 20 Charged In Major Marijuana Grow Op Raids [Re: Bridgeburner]
#8592870 - 07/03/08 07:44 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
* Little or no human activity
* Neglected lawns and gardens
* Windows always covered and full of condensation
* During winter months, no snow on roof
* People coming and going at odd hours, pulling into the garage and closing the door quickly
* Basement lights on all day long or bright lights escaping from other covered windows
* Garbage is minimal and may contain used soil and plant material
* A strong skunk-like odour emanating from the home
* Items being brought into the home include soil planters, fans, large lights
* An unusual amount of steam coming from vents
* Potential illegal electricity hook-ups
Courtesy of York Regional Police
I read something like this a few years back, and this is more like a "what not to do" for growers. Haha, i guess its worked so far.
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Heffy
BrauMeister
Registered: 08/30/04
Posts: 3,262
Loc: International Traveller
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Two Police Officers Among 20 Charged In Major Marijuana Grow Op Raids [Re: Tripp420]
#8593119 - 07/03/08 09:39 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Not really surprised.
So criminally active police officers can't be held to justice, even by the admission of the police chief.
I feel like some public hangings are in order.
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I am the king of Rome, and above grammar! - Emperor Sigismund
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GoldenCapAttack
Psilocybin Dumpster Divin'
Registered: 06/21/08
Posts: 890
Loc: Mush Mountain
Last seen: 5 years, 22 days
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Re: Two Police Officers Among 20 Charged In Major Marijuana Grow Op Raids [Re: Heffy]
#8593411 - 07/03/08 11:14 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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If these cops were smart they would have read the "how not to get caught" section in the grow bible.
Fuckin noobs
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