On Friday morning residents of 2600 Jane St., near Sheppard, expressed their shock and concern over the massive operation that produced an estimated $6.5 million in pot. Authorities uncovered the illegal outfit Thursday evening, allegedly seizing approximately 6,000 plants, 30 lbs. of dried marijuana and equipment.

"That's bad because we need a safe environment," resident Eldad Dookie said Friday.

Three men - including the building's superintendent - are facing a total of 15 charges and appeared in court Friday morning. Police also released some amazing video of footage shot inside the apartments used to grow the illcit product (top left).

Investigators were not only astonished at the size of the alleged grow-op, but the danger it posed to residents with both the mould and the potential for fire.

"This is a huge public safety issue to the other tenants in this building based on, you know, the use of the electricity, the threat of fire. It's not a matter of if it catches. It's when," Det. Sgt. David Malcolm explained.

The ovens were apparently unplugged in all 22 of the units and those outlets were allegedly used to power 1,000-watt bulbs used to grow the plants.

The building manager said most high rises in the city only have one hydro meter, making it virtually impossible for them to know how much electricity individual units are using.

How could an entire building filled with tenants not know what was going on? The secrecy was intense, with those behind the scheme even covering up their mail slots to keep any telltale smells from leaking out.

Daniel Wallace, 47, Tat Thang Nguyen, 35, and Dinh Pham, 46 are charged.

Toronto's Police Chief claims it's just another example of what his people are always fighting.

"It's a lucrative criminal enterprise, and so I don't think we really should be surprised," Bill Blair  comments on the discovery. "But I think the scope of this one was certainly unusual.

"But it does indicate that we have a serious problem with marijuana grow operations and we have to continue to be vigilant to root them out, shut them down and to put the people that are responsible for that crime in jail."

But while the danger may be gone, it's not forgotten. Some residents plan to move out after their experience.

And police acknowledge they have good reason to worry.

"There has to be hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to the building now," admits Staff Inspector Don Campbell.

Notices were placed on doors around the complex informing residents of the grow-op bust and the health dangers associated with them.

The mould from the grow-op presents a real challenge to those who lived near the gruesome gardens.

"I heard that building is a little contaminated," worries Carmen Chavez, who lived next door to one of the affected units. "So safety, the health, is more important for us."

Local councillor Michael Thompson believes no one should be living there until health officials give it the all clear. They'll be checking the building Friday night.

"I think what we really should be looking at is at the building really should be evacuated," the politician maintains. "I'm concerned that there could be contamination."

Police don't believe that will be necessary, but admit there's a lot of cleaning up to do.
 
"We're going to be sending at least two inspectors to visit the property, do a visual inspection," outlines Dr. Howard Shapiro, Toronto's Associate Medical Officer of Health. "We need to do a complete check before we can complete our assessment."

The 22 units involved will have to be thoroughly cleaned before they can be rented again. And if tenants leave, there may be even more rooms for rent at the address than ever before.

The investigation is ongoing and authorites are urging anyone with information to call police at (416) 808-6100 or Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS.

This isn't the first time police have visited this apartment building to break-up an alleged drug operation. A similar outfit was uncovered a few months ago at the same complex.

• Thompson has organized an emergency community meeting for noon Saturday at the Dominico Deluca Community Centre.  Police, fire and public health officials will all be in attendance.
  

Authorities are not only concerned about potential health and fire hazards, but of the violence associated with the illegal outfits and the weapons criminals are using to protect their crops, including high-powered rifles and booby traps. To see some of what police are up against, click here.

To see unedited video of the grow-op tour in the raw, click here.  

• Little or no human activity
• Neglected lawns and gardens
• Windows always covered and full of condensation
• During winter months, no snow on roof
• People coming and going at odd hours, pulling into the garage and closing the door quickly
• Basement lights on all day long or bright lights escaping from other covered windows
• Garbage is minimal and may contain used soil and plant material
• A strong skunk-like odour emanating from the home
• Items being brought into the home include soil planters, fans, large lights
• An unusual amount of steam coming from vents

Courtesy of York Regional Police