Pubdate: Wed, 23 Aug 2000
Source: Richmond Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2000 Richmond Public Library
Contact:  Unit 140 5671 No. 3 Road, Richmond, B.C.
Fax: (604) 606-8752
Website: http://www.rpl.richmond.bc.ca/community/RichmondReview/
Author:  Martin van den Hemel

BOUND MAN LEADS POLICE TO GROW OPERATION

The latest marijuana bust Monday morning had a violent twist.

A man covered in blood approached a contractor working outside a home on 
the 7000 block of Ash Street, near Granville Road, Monday around 9:30 a.m. 
and asked for a favour.

"Can you cut me loose?"

When the worker looked up, there was a Caucasian man wearing only a T-shirt 
and underwear, his hands tied behind his back and awkwardly grasping a set 
of pruning shears.

The worker quickly made a 9-1-1 call to alert police, who later that 
morning found the man wandering through the neighbourhood after people 
refused to untie him.

As it turned out, the man was the apparent victim of a robbery in which he 
was beaten inside a home at 7140 Ash St. The home had been converted into a 
marijuana growing operation, with its walls covered in black-and-white 
plastic and an elaborate system of extension cords, lights, silver 
ductwork, fans, and water hoses hooked up to pots in the dilapidated home's 
living room.

The worker, who asked not to be identified, told The Review Tuesday 
afternoon that the victim wasn't too forthcoming with details about what 
had happened to him and because of his appearance, he didn't think it was a 
good idea to release him. The victim claimed he was robbed and then changed 
his story, saying he was mugged.

A couple of hours after the accident, a man in a brown older-model van 
pulled into the driveway as police were continuing their investigation. 
After apparently spotting police, the driver tried to turn around, only to 
be flagged down by an officer. Police allegedly found a small amount of 
marijuana, chemicals used to grow marijuana and a ballast in the van and 
arrested the driver.

Richmond RCMP Const. Peter Thiessen said there were about 90 marijuana 
plants stolen from the bungalow after an altercation.

According to police, two men, one described as Caucasian and the second 
darker, entered the home to rip off the victim. The man was then assaulted 
and left tied up with grey duct tape.

According to the worker, an investigating officer said there was a lot of 
blood inside the home and police were investigating whether the rip-off is 
related to criminal gang activity, or possibly even the Hell's Angels 
motorcycle gang.

A neighbour said he wasn't particularly surprised about the grow op 
discovery and pointed out several other suspicious homes nearby.

Another man on a bicycle also pulled up to the home, and then made a hasty 
retreat Tuesday after spotting the dozens of cut extension cords strewn 
across the driveway.
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