Pubdate: Wed, 05 Apr 2000
Source: Penticton Herald (Canada)
Copyright: 2000 - Horizon Operations (B.C.) Ltd.
Contact:  101-186 Naniamo Ave. West Penticton, B.C., Canada, V2A 1N4
Fax: 1-250-492-2403
Website: http://www.ok.bc.ca/PH/index.htm
Author:  Maurice Smith

GROW OPERATIONS TAKE ON VIOLENT FACE

Police Bust 22 Grow Ops In 15-day Sweep Throughout Region

Marijuana grow operations are on the increase, both in sophistication and 
in potential for violence according to police who have wrapped up a 
two-week crackdown.

Police busted 22 "grow ops" in a 15-day operation and seized 3,781 plants, 
36 pounds of drying marijuana bud, $5,000 in stolen property and assorted 
growing equipment.

Of particular concern to Mounties was the associated seizure of 37 guns, 
including rifles, handguns, an assault rifle and a sawed-off shotgun with a 
home-made silencer. Many of the firearms were fully loaded and kept near 
doors or beside beds.

The raids resulted in the arrests of 25 males and six females, the majority 
of whom had moved to the region strictly to grow marijuana, said Staff Sgt. 
Kerry Solinsky of the Southeast District office in Kelowna. "Some of the 
persons involved are associated to organized criminal organizations from 
theLower Mainland," he said.

Police wouldn't put a value on the crops, but estimate the amount of pot 
seized equates to 140 joints per student in the district.

Drawing on Mounties from detachments in Summerland, Penticton, Oliver, 
Osoyoos and Princeton, as well as the Keremeos-based highway patrol, the 
RCMP formed the South Okanagan Marijuana Grow Eradication Team March 7. The 
Kelowna-based RCMP helicopter was also brought in to assist, said Penticton 
Const. Terry Jacklin, who was named team leader.

Summerland and Princeton were the sites of five raids each. There were 
three search warrants executed in each of Naramata, Oliver and Penticton, 
and single raids in Kaleden, Cawston and Osoyoos.

Though some of the raids were in rural areas, most of the grow operations 
were in the middle of residential areas, Jacklin said.

"These things are happening in every neighbourhood. It's not restricted to 
low-rent areas.

"With these types of weapons being found, it's a great risk to anyone in 
the area," he added. "These guns aren't for going out and doing your normal 
hunting. They are there to protect their interests."

Growers tend to stick to production and don't sell from their homes, 
Jacklin said. They tend to be quiet neighbours who keep a low profile and 
are most active after dark.

Noting 18 of the 22 residences were rental properties, police are asking 
landlords to take more responsibility to monitor their renters, both for 
the public good and their own.

Jacklin said insurance companies are refusing to pay the high cost of 
repairs to homes extensively damaged by growers. In two cases, grow ops 
were found in underground bunkers with surveillance cameras. One was built 
into the side of a hill near Osoyoos and accessed through a narrow tunnel. 
Another involved three elaborate grow rooms found under a shop in Princeton.

Though police concede they are only getting a portion of the grow ops, 
Jacklin said he believes police are winning the battle.

He notes that word of a police crackdown spreads quickly, and that after 
two Princeton raids, two other grow ops were quickly abandoned.
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