Huge Pot Bust York's Largest

Afternoon raids at two Markham homes yesterday shut down what police estimate was the largest-ever pot-growing operation in York Region.

Narcotics officers found the basements, and the main floors of two rented homes filled with nearly 6,000 marijuana plants.

The noon bust all but shut down the estimated $6-million-a-year pot-growing operation, Sgt. John Sheldon said last night.

"This has put a major dent in the drug-trafficking trade in York Region," he said. "It's a relief that none of this stuff hit the streets."

One home on Soho Cres., in the McCowan Rd.-16th Ave. area, had nearly 1,700 plants growing in the basement alone.

"It was an elaborate, sophisticated operation," Sheldon said.

A 37-year-old Toronto man was arrested at a nearby Hewlett Cres. home where officers discovered a second hydroponic marijuana-growing operation.

His name was being withheld until later today for investigative reasons. The man is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and two counts of producing a controlled substance.

"There was one floor that was for pot seedlings," Sheldon said.

Home-grown marijuana contains on average about 25% THC, the chemical that causes the high. Field-grown Mexican dope, by comparison, averages 5%.

Sheldon could not say how potent the seized pot was.

Copyright 1998, Canoe Limited Partnership.

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