December 21, 2001

Oakville Beaver

by Howard Mozel

Police Raid Five Hydroponic Labs In North Oakville Neighbourhood

Even if it snows, Halton Regional Police will enjoy a green Christmas this year after closing down five hydroponic marijuana growing operations this week.

The raids occurred Wednesday morning at five residences all located in the same neighbourhood and five adults - three men, two women - were arrested.  All the houses had been rented and one was home to four youngsters, said Sgt.  Val Hay, who explained that the Halton Children's Aid Society is now involved.

"These are not environments for children," she said.

The raids bring to 20 the total number of hydroponic growing operations discovered in Halton this year, account for more than $7 million worth of marijuana.  More busts will likely follow, said Sgt.  Hay.

"We know we're just scratching the surface," she added, explaining that the over-taxed Drug and Morality Unit has even more investigations underway.

The search warrants executed on Wednesday netted more than 1,600 plants with a potential street value of almost $1.6 million.  All the equipment used in the grow operations was also seized.

Three of the houses were located on Eighth Line ( 2151, 2156, 2172 ).  Another house was at 532 Glenashton Dr.  and the largest operation was located at 2005 Grenville Dr.  In all cases the hydro meter had been tampered with and electricity was bypassed into each residence.

Police have not said whether the five growing operations are linked, but Sgt.  Hay said that, given their close proximity to each other, the houses were raided simultaneously.

Sgt.  Hay said the police investigation was initiated after tips were received from neighbours, after which officers worked closely, as they have in the past, with Oakville Hydro.  The utility is interested in recovering lost revenue from the theft of electricity, as well as to prevent fires caused by sub-standard wiring practices.

"Luckily in Halton there have been no fires directly related to hydro bypasses," said Sgt.  Hay.

The following suspects have been charged with cultivation of a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, theft of electricity and "occupant injuring building":

Binh Cam Luu, 31, of Eighth Line; Cuu Xuan Hoang, 36, of Eighth Line; Nhi Nguyen, 37, of Grenville Drive; Ngoc Hung Nguyen, 41, of Grenville Drive; Thi Dinh Nguyen, 49, of Grenville Drive.

Sgt.  Hay said the discovery of five such operations so close together in a neighbourhood underscores the need for residents to be vigilant about the goings-on on their streets.

Residents are asked to be aware of "abnormal behaviour," say police, such as houses whose residents only sporadically attend, appear vacant most of the time and are allowed to become unkempt.