Gangs protect their marijuana
LOUIE ROSELLA
Jun 1, 2003
Ontario, Canada
Marijuana houses can be dangerous to your health in more ways than one. Detective Ian Calder of Peel's Morality Bureau said deadly traps are being discovered in pot houses in Mississauga.
He noted that in recent years, officers and even residents have found traps in Mississauga homes set for the sole purpose of injury, and possibly death.
Last year, investigators raided a Mississauga residence to find timers and wires mounted to a piece of plywood set above the side door.
The purpose was to trigger an electrocution once the door was opened.
"If we went through that door, we would have exposed the wire and there would have been a good chance one of our guys would have been electrocuted," said Calder. "These traps are set to prevent intruders from stealing their marijuana."
Recently, a real estate agent found copper wire around a pot house in Mississauga set to give off an electrical shock when touched.
Police say there have been at least three booby-trapped homes in Mississauga in the last three years, but it is a relatively new aspect of the pot-growing industry,
The trap issue arose at Friday's Peel Police Services Board (PSB) meeting. PSB members were informed the federal government introduced legislation making it a Criminal Code offence for setting a "deadly trap" in a place used for a criminal purpose.
"If firefighters or police officers are put at risk, injured or killed by traps set to defend these criminal enterprises from law enforcement or rival gangs, those who set the traps must feel the full weight of the law," said Justice Minister Martin Cauchon at a recent press conference.
The proposed legislation would impose a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for those who set these traps. That increases to 14 years if injury occurs and a life sentence if someone is killed by a trap.
In other jurisdictions, officers have discovered guns connected to doors by trick wire that would go off when the door is opened, noted Calder.
The legislation was part of a controversial bill tabled by Cauchon Tuesday before the House of Commons that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of pot, meaning offenders would be subjected to fines, instead of criminal prosecution.
This year, police have discovered around 55 pot houses in Mississauga. Last year, 147 were found.
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LOUIE ROSELLA
Jun 1, 2003
Ontario, Canada
Marijuana houses can be dangerous to your health in more ways than one. Detective Ian Calder of Peel's Morality Bureau said deadly traps are being discovered in pot houses in Mississauga.
He noted that in recent years, officers and even residents have found traps in Mississauga homes set for the sole purpose of injury, and possibly death.
Last year, investigators raided a Mississauga residence to find timers and wires mounted to a piece of plywood set above the side door.
The purpose was to trigger an electrocution once the door was opened.
"If we went through that door, we would have exposed the wire and there would have been a good chance one of our guys would have been electrocuted," said Calder. "These traps are set to prevent intruders from stealing their marijuana."
Recently, a real estate agent found copper wire around a pot house in Mississauga set to give off an electrical shock when touched.
Police say there have been at least three booby-trapped homes in Mississauga in the last three years, but it is a relatively new aspect of the pot-growing industry,
The trap issue arose at Friday's Peel Police Services Board (PSB) meeting. PSB members were informed the federal government introduced legislation making it a Criminal Code offence for setting a "deadly trap" in a place used for a criminal purpose.
"If firefighters or police officers are put at risk, injured or killed by traps set to defend these criminal enterprises from law enforcement or rival gangs, those who set the traps must feel the full weight of the law," said Justice Minister Martin Cauchon at a recent press conference.
The proposed legislation would impose a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for those who set these traps. That increases to 14 years if injury occurs and a life sentence if someone is killed by a trap.
In other jurisdictions, officers have discovered guns connected to doors by trick wire that would go off when the door is opened, noted Calder.
The legislation was part of a controversial bill tabled by Cauchon Tuesday before the House of Commons that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of pot, meaning offenders would be subjected to fines, instead of criminal prosecution.
This year, police have discovered around 55 pot houses in Mississauga. Last year, 147 were found.
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I just wanted them to say Boobie. 
