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4 mounties killed in pot raid
Pot raids continue during tragedy
$1.5M in marijauna seized day four Mounties slain
Mar 5, 2005
Martin Derbyshire, Staff Writer - More from this author
As news of four RCMP officers shot and killed during a drug raid in Alberta came across the wire, York Regional Police were conducting a series of marijuana grow operation raids across the region.
Four sophisticated pot grow houses in Queensville, East Gwillimbury, Whitchurch-Stouffville and Markham were raided Thursday.
York police found more than 1,500 plants with an estimated street value of $1.5 million, in the four raids and arrested five people.
Local officers have raided 18 grow ops so far this year.
Last year, York police busted 132 illegal drug operations and Det.-Sgt. Karen Noakes said this serious problem is not going away.
"Not at all. The growers are adapting to the different things we do and then we have to adapt again."
With marijuana grow operations being such a huge problem in York Region, the news of four Mounties being murdered in a similar situation hit close to home.
Local cops offered condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Mounties who were shot and killed after being led to a farm in the tiny hamlet of Rochfort Bridge, AB to investigate stolen property and a marijuana grow lab.
All four were shot inside a shed on the property while staking out the farm.
A fifth man, the farm's owner, was also found dead, apparently turning the gun on himself after shooting the four officers.
Police Chief Armand La Barge -- in Israel this week as a part of a six-day mission on anti-terrorism strategies with other police leaders from across Ontario -- took part in a moment of silence at the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv Friday morning in honour of the slain officers.
Det.-Sgt. Noakes did not want to comment on the safety and security of officers involved in local drug raids and the force did
not use the RCMP officers' deaths as an opportunity to reiterate its call for tougher sentences on marijuana growers.
"Today is a day to reflect on the dedication of these (RCMP) officers, and all officers, who put their lives on the line every day," said acting Chief Eric Jolliffe.
Newmarket-Aurora MP Belinda Stronach offered her condolences to the families and agreed with the force's position.
"When law enforcement officers fall in the line of duty, it is a national tragedy that affects us all. These are men and women who are willing to put their own lives at risk every day to make our lives safer," she said, adding now is the time to pay respect to the fallen officers, their families and the police services, not for a discussion of the danger posed by marijuana grow ops.
She did promise, however, to return to that issue soon.
Ms Stronach may get that chance sooner than later as a bill is before the House of Commons to make pot possession punishable be a fine but set mandatory sentences for growers.
The four books of condolence are on display at the Newmarket chapel of Taylor Funeral Home, 524 Davis Dr., for two weeks and the public is encouraged to offer sympathies. The home is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The books will then be sent to Alberta for the victims' families.
I dont think this would happened if marijuana was decriminalized or legal. Such a tragedy. Unfortunatly this will probably cause them to crack down on grow ops even harder than they are, wasting more tax dollars and risking more lives..... condolances go to there families.
thoughts??
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There are 2 kinds of music, good and bad
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