Hydro to root out grow ops

Suspicious homes to lose power

Toronto Sun - October 8, 2004
by Antonella Artuso — Queen's Park Bureau Chief

Hydro officials will soon be able to cut off power to homes without warning if they suspect an illegal marijuana grow operation, Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter said. Kwinter said he will introduce legislation this fall to give hydro companies the legal authority to act swiftly against suspected pot labs.

"Someone will be able to cut off your power without telling you about it, without notice, because we think you're doing something illegal," he said.

People must prove they're not operating a pot grow house to get their power back, he said.

Monte Kwinter said the government also intends to get building inspectors, realtors, banks and insurance companies all working with police to eradicate the "scourge" of illegal grow ops, which steal an estimated $80 million a year in electricity and pose serious safety hazards.

Kwinter said police need proof to obtain a warrant to enter a home. "And it's really difficult to get a warrant when you can't tell them what's in there," he said.

Building inspectors, who are already entitled to enter structures to investigate potential safety risks, will be called in to examine suspicious homes and report any criminality they find.

The minister said banks will begin specifying in mortgage documents that the whole amount becomes due if a grow operation is discovered. Insurance companies will also void coverage for grow ops.

"These are things that these various sectors will put in because they suddenly realize that they're the ones that are left holding the bag," Kwinter said.

Mark Burton, a spokesman for Toronto Hydro, said grow ops often tap directly into main lines to avoid high meter readings. If the house still has power after being cut off, hydro officials would know that there's been an "energy diversion," he said.

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