OTTAWA SEIZES TORONTO GROW-OP HOUSE

The federal government has successfully seized the modest
semi-detached Toronto home of a 60-year-old labourer convicted of
operating a medium-sized marijuana grow operation in the family residence.

Tam Ngoc Tran was also sentenced to 10 months in jail by provincial
court Justice Kathleen Caldwell yesterday.

"Forfeiture has no practical bearing on the sentence," the judge stated.

The home in the Jane and Finch section of Toronto was assessed at
$275,000 in 2007 and is co-owned by Mr. Tran and his former wife.

The judge suggested the former wife, who was not convicted of any
offence, should go to court if she wants to try to stop the
forfeiture of the house.

It is believed to be the second home ever seized by federal
prosecutors in Toronto in the nearly 10 years since forfeiture powers
aimed at reducing organized crime became law in Canada.

"Growers beware," warned Crown attorney Dave Rowcliffe, who wanted a
12-month jail term for Mr. Tran, who has heart problems and no prior
criminal record.