Realtor cleared in drug bust

Charges stayed after grow-op found last winter in west-end Barrie business; weapon charge remains Tracy Mclaughlin, Barrie Examiner August 31, 2013 A local real-estate agent whose name made headlines last winter after police found marijuana growing in one of his business units was cleared of all drug charges, Friday. Aron Cadeau, owner of Flat Fee Realty, and co-accused David Field, of Innisfil, walked out of court free men after their charges were stayed. "He is an innocent man," Cadeau's lawyer, Leo Adler, said in an interview. Cadeau and Field were arrested last December after Barrie police had them and another man under surveillance for seven weeks. That led officers to conduct five different raids where they found marijuana grow operations and weapons. One of the raids was on Patterson Road where Cadeau conducted his realty business. Ontario Provincial Police also executed a raid at a commercial building on Small Crescent in Hawkestone where another grow operation was located. Police seized more than 200 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, dried and pack-a ged marijuana valued at approximately $100,000, and a large quantity of hydroponic equipment in the raids in addition to two shotguns and two rifles. But a catch to the entire case is that a third man who was also arrested, Clifford Dawson, a bank machine maintenance worker, had a legal permit to grow medical marijuana. Health Canada was aware that he was growing marijuana. While Dawson's case is still before the courts, Adler said it explains why police incorrectly thought that Cadeau, who rented space to Dawson, was involved in illegal activity. "There is nothing illegal about having a grow operation if you have a medical licence and a permit," Adler said. "And there is nothing illegal about renting space out to a person who has a proper licence and permit. "And that is exactly what happened here." Before Cadeau made the decision to rent out the space, Adler said his client even sought legal advice to make sure it was above board. "It was a business transaction for my client and nothing more," Adler said.

In the end, federal Crown prosecutor Jeanette Gevikoglu found there was not sufficient evidence to convict either man, Adler said. "My client is relieved that this part of the case is over," said Adler, who advised Cadeau not to speak with media at this time. "He has been through the ringer and he has suffered quite a bit because of these charges." Cadeau still faces a careless firearm storage charge after police searched his home on Collier Street, where they allegedly found a shotgun under the bed. Police say it was loaded with the safety off. Cadeau is scheduled to be back in court Sept. 23 to deal with that charge. Dawson is still facing several charges and his case will also be back in court Sept. 23.