POT 'GARDENERS' HEADED TO JAIL

With tears streaming down their cheeks, family members of the men convicted for their involvement in Canada's largest, and most sophisticated marijuana grow operation, watched as their loved ones were handcuffed and taken to jail yesterday.

Seven men were convicted of the production and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

In some of the stiffest sentences ever handed down to so-called "gardeners" in the multimillion dollar scheme that operated out of the former Molson brewery in Barrie, Justice James Crawford said these family members will aid the cause of justice by spreading the message that it doesn't pay to grow marijuana.

Sentences varied from five and four-years, to house arrest, depending on each man's previous record or personal circumstance.  Normally, sentences in Canada for this type of crime have netted less than two-year sentences, usually in the form of a house arrest.

"This was the most sophisticated, efficient marijuana grow operation in Canadian history," said the judge, adding there is a strong a possibility the pot was exported to the U.S.  where the resale market is three to four times higher than in Canada.

He also said it was traded for cocaine.

But the judge also said none of the men, who were caught with keys to dead-bolted doors that lead to the secret operation, were the brains behind the operation.

"None of these offenders was the controlling mind."

In fact, police say they will likely never catch whoever was at the helm of the giant jungle-like marijuana plant operating inside the plant that reaped $60-million a year.

About 100 officers raided the plant last January after receiving a tip.

"This was a multimillion dollar operation.  From the bad guy's point of view, they weren't going to let anything go wrong.  I have no doubt it was run by organized crime members who knew exactly what they were doing," said OPP Det.  Staff Sgt.  Rick Barnum.

"We would have loved to sit back for six months and put this under surveillance, but we had to act fast."

Federal Crown attorney Karen Jokinen said she believes the sentences will send a clear message.

"It's time to wipe out these grow houses," she said.

But defence lawyer Randall Barrs said nothing will stop grow houses because the demand for the "harmless" drug is too high.

"We can't eradicate marijuana any more than we could alcohol in the days of Prohibition," he said.  "It's going to be produced somewhere -- it's not going to fall out of the sky."

Of the seven men, only one won't spend time behind bars.