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| Date: April 28, 2010 | ||
| LARGE GROW OPERATION RESULTS IN CHARGES | ||
Seven people are facing an array of charges after the discovery of a large marihuana grow operation on the city's east side. As a result of an investigation lasting several months, officers from the Windsor Police Drugs and Guns Unit along with officers from the PAVIS (Provincial Anti Violence Initiative Strategy) Unit executed search warrants in several locations in both Windsor and Tecumseh yesterday afternoon. The investigation revealed that several people residing in Windsor and Tecumseh were collaborating with two Toronto area men in the production of Cannabis Marihuana in Windsor. At approximately 1:00 p.m. officers from the above mentioned units in company with officers of the WPS Emergency Services Unit executed a search warrant at 3966 E.C. Row North Service Rd. This location is a commercial property rented by one of the accused under the guise of a construction business. Upon entry to a concrete block building on the property, officers located over 900 Cannabis Marihuana plants in the early stages of growth. Officers also seized a large quantity of loose packaged Cannabis Marihuana and electronic equipment used to operate the grow operation. The total value of the seized Cannabis Marihuana totalled in excess of $550,000.00. Four of the accused were arrested at this location. Officers also discovered that the Hydro to the building had been bypassed and was being used illegally. Officers also executed a search warrant at a residence located at 10898 Brentwood Cr. in Tecumseh - the residence of two of the accused and located a loaded 12 gauge shotgun in the master bedroom closet and a Ruger 300 scoped rifle under the bed. Officers also located additional electronic equipment commonly used in grow operations at the residence. One of the residents was arrested at the grow op location and the other accused, a female was arrested at her place of employment. The following six accused are facing charges including Production of Cannabis Marihuana For The Purposes of Trafficking, Possession of Cannabis Marihuana For The Purposes of Trafficking, Diverting Electricity and Tampering or damaging a building. Giuseppe ZAMBITO - 42 years of Tecumseh Giorgio LOIACONO - 39 years of Windsor Salvatore LOIACONO - 37 years of Windsor John DEROSE - 34 years of Windsor Simon LIEU - 45 years of Woodbridge Hoa TRAN - 41 years of Woodbridge Luana ZAMBITO - 41 years is charged with three counts of Unsafe Storage of a Firearm. - 30 - |
