Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jan 2003
Source: 100 Mile House Free Press (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 100 Mile House Free Press
Contact:  http://www.100milefreepress.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2143
Author: Heather Colpitts

POT OPERATION SHUT DOWN

The quiet of the new year has proven unfortunate for area criminals as the 
100 Mile RCMP continues to bust marijuana grow operations. After seizing 
over 900 plants from three operations Jan. 17, the detachment discovered a 
1,500 plant operation at a rental property on Lower Housman Road Jan. 22.

"(The RCMP) executed a search warrant in regard to hydro diversion that BC 
Hydro had informed us of," Const. Diana Racine explained.

During the execution of the electricity-based warrant, the officers found 
evidence of a grow operation and went for a second warrant related to it.

The end result was the seizure of 1,588 plants at various stages of 
maturity from a basement and barn as a handful of members spent an entire 
day dismantling the operation, bagging up the organic material and loading 
the grow equipment. Seized material, after documentation, is destroyed.

The evidence tells the police that this was a well-established operation 
with some age behind it.

"There were mature and new plants," Racine commented "I would consider this 
definitely a significant grow."

No one was present at the property when the warrants were executed, but 
charges are pending and the investigation continues to find those 
responsible. Racine explained that charges for such a substantial operation 
normally include production of marijuana and possession for the purposes of 
trafficking. Both charges are under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act 
(CDSA). The growers could also face Criminal Code of Canada charges for the 
theft of electricity.

The work involved in investigating a grow and removing evidence opens 
members up to very specific dangers.

"Marijuana plants are very fragile," she said. "And very susceptible to 
pests. Consequently, the grows use all sorts of pesticides."

In addition, members dismantling grow ops must also protect themselves from 
exposure to other toxins. Grow ops rely on heavy use of fertilizer. But the 
threat isn't just chemical.

"For us one of the biggest hazards is the threat of electrical shock," she 
said.

The diverted electricity, because it's normally done by amateurs, is a 
threat to growers and the police.

Racine explained that there isn't a special campaign on right now to shut 
down grow operations, even through there has been a spate of seizures in 
recent days. Because this is a quieter time of year for other sorts of 
crime and emergencies, it frees up the RCMP to devote more resources than 
normal to drug offenses. Another factor is the mix of skills of the local 
members.

"We probably take more grows down than the average detachment because we 
have officers with the training," she added.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart