Pubdate: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Richmond Public Library Contact: http://www.richmondreview.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704 Author: Martin van den Hemel POLICE WARN OF POT RIP-OFF PERILS Bandits broke into two homes Tuesday, choosing their targets, police say, because they contained marijuana grow-ops. Now Richmond RCMP are issuing a warning to would-be thieves that breaking into these types of homes could have deadly consequences. On Tuesday, police responded to two break-in calls on the 7400 block of No. 4 Road and the 10000 block of No. 2 Road. Inside they discovered the remains of marijuana growing operations. Richmond RCMP Const. Peter Thiessen said these types of homes are secured in various ways, and it's not uncommon to find weapons, including guns, inside. "Individuals attempting to break-in to these locations may end up meeting an occupant inside who is there protecting the crop," Thiessen said. "The potential for injury or even death is quite high in these circumstances." Grow-rips, as they are referred to by police, seem to be gaining in popularity. There was a rash of them late last year, including one case where a woman was severely beaten during a violent home-invasion of a home on No. 2 Road that contained a small grow-op. This year, local police have also responded to a number of break-ins of homes growing pot. Last week, enforcement efforts that are part of Operation Green Clean resulted in two more arrests. Police attended a warehouse complex on the 11700 block of River Road to execute a search warrant at one suspected grow-op when they discovered two others in separate units. More than 2,000 plants were seized and two people were arrested and could be facing charges that include production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake