Canadian grow-op HUGE!

[Guest IMPOSTORjoeNON-MEMBER]

Jan. 12, 2004. 06:48 AM

 

Pot bust biggest ever

Marijuana grown in former brewery

Operation had dorm for workers

 

 

ROBERTA AVERY

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

 

BARRIE—Terry MacIsaac has driven past the former Molson's brewery nearly every day since it closed more than three years ago putting him out of work after 26 years on the job.

 

But he never imagined that a huge crop of marijuana was being grown in the abandoned beer vats.

 

He rarely glanced at the windowless, gray industrial building surrounded by two chain-link fences, topped with barbed wire and never gave a second thought to the comings and goings of delivery trucks.

 

"Like everyone else, I'm absolutely astounded," said McIsaac yesterday, after hearing that police are calling the indoor marijuana grow operation, discovered in the former brewery during a raid on Saturday, the biggest ever in Ontario.

 

Police found a vast quantity of marijuana growing in the vats and "in every space that could be kept warm," OPP Superintendent Bill Crate said.

 

MacIsaac, who worked in the brewing room, estimates that there were at least 60 of the giant vats each the size of a backyard swimming pool.

 

"I don't know if all the vats were left behind, but I can tell you that they were huge," MacIsaac said.

 

The scale and sophistication of the operation with its production, packaging and distribution centres and even a dormitory for workers inside the huge building that stretches nearly one-kilometre is "beyond words," Crate said.

 

"It's so big that it took me more than an hour to walk through. It's twice as big as we initially believed."

 

Because of the sophistication and size of the operation police are investigating if there are any links to organized crime or biker gangs, Crate said.

 

"I can tell you that a lot of money and organization has gone into setting this up."

 

A lone officer in a cruiser guarded the gate yesterday as a constant stream of police officers collecting evidence came and went.

 

Few passersby stopped to ask questions and even at Casey's Restaurant, the nearest watering hole, few of the customers seemed to know what had happened.

 

"But it's been a big topic of conversation among the staff. We've all been passing by that place every day and we never suspected a thing,'' said Casey's manager Brian Bell.

 

Police are investigating whether there are any links with another marijuana grow operation discovered during a raid yesterday on a unit in a commercial plaza in Oro Medonte on Highway 11 about 20 kilometres north of Barrie, Crate said.

 

Eleven people have now been arrested in connection with that raid.

 

Details of charges won't be released until a news conference today, Crate said.

[Guest pilk]

that my friends is where the dirty cops come out and play......if I was one i sure know i would

[Buddy]

A lone officer in a cruiser guarded the gate yesterday as a constant stream of police officers collecting evidence came and went.

Hahahaha, If they are anything Australian police, I know where the a lot of the evidence went .

[Hy:Dro:Brid]

thats a huge bust. huge operation. huge news. if i was in charge of growing the crop, i'd go kill myself. jk. sad news.

[Luke Skywalker]

if i was in charge of growing the crop, i'd go kill myself.

 

Stuff that, I'd just be planning the next, bigger one I'd start when I get out from the hundreds of years in gaol they'll try and throw at ya...

[Guest baxli from brisbie]

you fuckinng bastard

 

sucker

[Luke Skywalker]

Baxli, who are you referring to in your most eloquent manner? We can discuss these kinds of feelings in the Bitching room if you like....