[420 Girl]

Tropical Distribution was hit this week by a Tropical Storm, an undercover police probe that led to the seizure of equipment used to boost production at large pot-growing operations across the GTA.

York Regional Police allege Toronto business Tropical Distribution was the starting point for 18 marijuana-growing operations, including six in Peel, in the last two years. One of the labs was on Heathgate Cres., in Mississauga.

A Mississauga man is among three people accused of running the massive distribution ring.

Dai Tho Le, 28, faces three counts each of production of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and theft of electricity, and one count of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Van Duong Le, 41, and Tu Cam Lam, 29, both of Newmarket, face a total of 108 similar charges.

Meanwhile, 31 people have been charged in connection with the marijuana labs.

Marijuana, jugs of plant food, garden hoses, fans and other gear, including two vehicles seized in connection with the investigation, were displayed by York police at a news conference Friday (May 16).

Police seized more than 8,000 marijuana plants with a street value of $12.5 million.

"For many years, there has been a debate in this country about legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana. I'm here to say marijuana is illegal because it is dangerous, it's not dangerous because it is illegal," said York police Chief Armand La Barge. "Drugs have had a significant impact on crime in the past and they continue to play a significant role in today's society."

In 2006, an anonymous tipster told police about several GTA marijuana labs and provided the name of a Toronto business that sold equipment and material needed to run the grow-ops, police said.

A subsequent probe led police to marijuana growers they say were being facilitated by the business. Between May 2006 and last month, police linked the business to 18 drug operations.

Police allege company employees supplied operators of the marijuana labs with equipment, knowledge and chemicals required to set up and maintain the operations, said York Insp. Tom Carrique.

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