Toronto Hydro employee stumbles upon $1.5 million marijuana grow operation

On Thursday, June 16, 2011, a perceptive Toronto Hydro employee spotted downed power lines at a house Warden Avenue/Lawrence Avenue East and promptly called for an emergency service truck to respond.

The responding Hydro crew approached the occupant of the house and, after a short conversation, the man drove off in a car. The crew located a Hydro by-pass and, as a result, police were called.

A subsequent search warrant was executed at the residence.

It is alleged that:

– a highly sophisticated hydroponic marijuana grow operation was discovered,

– over 1,460 marijuana plants were seized, along with over 2.5 kilograms of harvested and packaged marijuana, valued at $1.5 million.

No arrests were made at this time but the suspect is known to police.

Investigators said the Toronto Hydro employee’s actions prevented potential danger to area residents.