PAGE 8THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, MARCH 19,2003 www.durhamregion.com Orono drug lab closed, trio charged A total of 1,312 plants seized by police from commercial businesses DURHAM - A routine alarm call Friday led police to a pair of indoor marijuana factories hidden in commercial commercial businesses in Orono and Oshawa. Durham Regional Police seized a total of 1,312 plants and charged three men with.production and possession of pot for the purpose of trafficking. A patrol officer responding to a burglary alarm at an industrial plaza on Cobbledick Road in Orono was the key to weeding out the labs, police said. While investigating the alarm, the officer noticed a broken door handle on another unit in the plaza, said Sergeant Paul Malik, police spokesman. "The officer spoke to the owner and could smell marijuana," he said, adding the constable left the plaza and sparked a probe by the drug squad. Later that night drug officers executed executed search warrants on the business and a second unit at a commercial plaza on Wentworth Street in Oshawa, discovering "sophisticated hydroponics hydroponics marijuana" labs at both locations. Police seized 689 plants at the Orono unit and another 623 in Oshawa, Oshawa, with a combined estimated street value of just under $300,000. Growing equipment worth more than $100,000 was also confiscated. Two men are charged with operating operating both sites, meanwhile the third accused, accused, from London, is .charged with tending to the Orono crop only. Peter Robert Verhoeven, 45, and Randall Arthur Devries, 43, both of no fixed address, face two counts each of production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. trafficking. They arc also charged with possession of crime proceeds. David Wayne Peel, 43, of London, is charged with one count each of production production and possession. entre sealing Helping you heal andfeel better through a variety of healing therapies, Open House March 20 4 - 7 p.m. 10 Sunray St., Unit203Whitby across from the AMC Theatres. http://members.rogers.com/durhampersonalcounselling Diane Cassidy R.N. RSSVV, M.A. Durham Persona! Counselling Services at The Healing Centre 905-666-3153 ❖ Psychotherapy ❖ Young Living Essential Oils ❖ Ear Candling ❖ Reflexology ❖ Aromatherapy ❖ Meditation ❖ Reiki ❖ Spiritual Guide ❖ Nutrition Counselling •> Overcoming Emotional Overeating Program helps women DURHAM - Break Free, a free •program aimed at helping women break free. from abusé and get jobs, is running in Durham Region. IDEA'S for Women runs the employment vocational vocational evaluation evaluation and empowerment empowerment series in Durham. Orientations Orientations are offered in Oshawa, Ajax and Bowmanville. Bowmanville. Professionals Professionals will offer confidential and individualized services to help women become financially independent independent through work: IDEA is funded funded by Human Resources Resources Development Development Canada. Spaces are limited limited and pre-registration pre-registration is required. required. In. Oshawa, Oshawa, call 905- 434-6789." In Ajax, call 905- 686-9755. In Bowmanville, caU 9054597- 3346.^'- 4ivv,,: $ You did it Diana! And just in time for summer You can lose up to 40 lbs. by May. Come in and inquire about our Spring Specials Don't Be Fooled by Imitations! Voted Durhams #1 Weight Loss Centre the past 3 years. Now over 300 Centres across Canada and the US. (905) 697-9484 243 King St. E. BOWMANVILLE (Bowmanville Mall) (90S) 432-6999 1330 Ritson Rd. N. OSHAWA 1 (Ritson and Taunton) 725-4146 1345 King St. E. . OSHAWA 2 (King and Townline) Weight Management and Nutrition Centres Shvrtti Y/www.herbalmagicsystemsxom, KOt !Ar.4ft£uLt ii Get it Fast For really, really fast Internet, Nexicom has you covered. Sign up for nex\corrfiturbo High Speed DSL now and get the first 3 months for only $24.95/month - including FREE self install nexicom^MrZw Highspeed DSL includes: • Unlimited hours - always fast, always on, always connected ... • 5 email accounts and 10 MB of personal Web Space' • High speed modem • Web mail access • FREE email Virus Protection • FREE Spambuster And, you won't need an extra phone line! Don't wait. Call us today. www.nexicom.net 1-888-639-4266 • Only available where technology permits. Some restrictions apply. ' nr WAL-MART Specialty Oils For Specialty Equipment Including Farm Machinery WE SELL FOR LESS every day!