Kids living in pot farm
By: Kim Bradley and Ian Robertson, Toronto Sun, 02/18/04

Six children and thousands of dollars worth of marijuana were seized from a Richmond Hill home after a nine-year-old boy called 911, maybe by accident. Police don't know if the boy's Monday night call was intentional, but when York region officers showed up to check the house, they stumbled on six kids, ages 18 months to 15 years, living in squalor amongst a lucrative pot operation.

"It's heartbreaking," said police spokesman, Kathleen Griffin.

Officers tried to talk to the boy who called 911, but were unable to speak to him at length after the kids' mother greeted them at the door, police said.

While they were in the house, officers smelled the distinctive aroma of cannabis emanating from somewhere and a search quickly uncovered the source.

They found 22 pot plants and 122 stalks drying upside-down in the basement and garage.

They also found 25 kilos of packaged marijuana stored in a fridge.

Total value of the haul is estimated at more than $200,000.

But the real concern was the six children living -- and playing -- amidst the operation, police said.

"You don't know what kind of fertilizer or pesticides they were exposed to," said Det.-Sgt. Karen Noakes, from York's drugs and vice unit. "Adults have the choice, but children don't and they are forced to live in this environment."

The officers were concerned for the kids' well-being because of their appearance, and because of the state of the house, Noakes said.

The children are being cared for by a family friend.

Lucia Denobrega, 35, and Dino Pepe, 36, both of Richmond Hill. are charged with possessing and producing an illegal substance.

(Rolo Commentary: this story is sad and kids should not be around a grow operaration for many safety reasons...very sad.)