Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jan 2001
Source: Cranbrook Daily Townsman (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 The Cranbrook Daily Townsman
Contact:  822 Cranbrook St., North Cranbrook, B.C., Canada V1C-3R9
Fax: (250) 426-5003
Website: http://www.dailytownsman.com/
Author: Gerry Warner

GROW OPERATIONS BUSTED IN KIMBERLEY; ABSENTEE LANDLORDS LEARN TO CHECK 
REFERENCES

Local police urge landlords to get the 'dope' on potential tenants before 
allowing them to rent their property.

Unfortunately, a Calgary landlord learned this lesson the hard way.

Cpl. John Rasmussen of the Kimberley RCMP detachment said property owners 
of a Marysville home "discovered a most unfortunate situation" on Jan. 11.

The Calgary landlords, who were on vacation in the East Kootenay, popped by 
to inspect their rental property.

"The owners had called a week prior to give notice to their tenant and were 
now ready to inspect the home," Rasmussen said. "Upon arriving at the 
residence, they discovered the place was abandoned with no sign of their 
tenant. The owners entered the residence to find that the home had been 
damaged and left in an uninhabitable state."

Rasmussen said the Calgarians quickly realized their renter had used the 
home to run "a sizable" indoor hydroponic marijuana grow operation.

"The residence appears to have been a flop house for several people and its 
primary use appeared to be for the cultivation of marijuana," Rasmussen added.

The property owners were out of luck as they rented the Marysville home by 
way of the telephone and had not met the renter in person nor had they 
signed a rental agreement.

Consequently, the owners could not confirm the renters name or physical 
appearance.

As a result of this particular incident and the increasing prevalence of 
indoor marijuana operations in Cranbrook and Kimberley police suggest that 
landlords be extremely wary of renting to unknown people.

Rasmussen urged landlords to check references and enter a legally binding 
rental agreement.

"In this particular case tracing the fictitious renter will be a difficult 
task," said Rasmussen.

However he said police officers will continue to investigate.

A day later, members of Kimberley's detachment busted another grow 
operation on Fortier Street.

Const. Gord Campbell said officers seized four pounds of pot that was 
drying, 22 growing plants as well as cultivation equipment. Officers 
estimate the seized quantity would provide enough 'weed' for 12,300 'joints.'

Police arrested a 25 year-old Kimberley resident in connection with the 
operation. Police laid two charges against the man - production of a 
controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. The 
accused will make his first court appearance March 7.
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