Pubdate: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Larry Pynn 44 ARRESTS 'JUST THE START' OF BLITZ ON POT GROWERS Crackdown has targeted newer homes SURREY - A multi-agency crackdown on Surrey's marijuana growing operations has resulted in the arrest of 44 people and the seizure of more than 16,000 marijuana plants in raids on 38 residences. And Surrey RCMP Constable Tim Shields said Tuesday that's just the beginning of an enforcement effort involving 20 officers supported by 11 public and private agencies. The crackdown -- which so far has targeted newer homes, most of them occupied by the owners -- is expected to last six months in a major effort to turn up the heat on grow-ops. "The message is that it's not just the police who are concerned about the problems associated with grow-ops. It's the entire community," Shields said. Shields said growing operations are also associated with secondary crimes such as drive-by shootings, home invasions, homicides, money laundering, cross-border smuggling, cocaine importation, outlaw motorcycle gangs and Asian organized crime. In addition, the danger of fires caused by substandard wiring and of respiratory problems caused by mould and mildew pose a constant threat to the families and children living with growing operations. Among the agencies offering RCMP support in the crackdown are B.C. Hydro, the ministry of children and families, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Block Watch, the Surrey Crime Prevention Society, real estate agents, Surrey bylaw officers, and Surrey firefighters. Shields said residences found to contain growing operations are typically "restrained" by the courts, meaning they cannot be bought or sold. If the owners are ultimately convicted, they can be ordered to forfeit the homes to the Crown, he added. On Nov. 12, Thao Heidi Doan was convicted of cultivation of marijuana in B.C. Supreme Court, and her $400,000 house at 17768 -- 100th Avenue was forfeited. The 16,000 marijuana plants seized and destroyed by RCMP during the first month of their crackdown, from Nov. 13 to December 12, would have conservatively produced 1,350 kilograms of dried marijuana bud, or 2.73 million marijuana joints, Shields said. Two of the investigations during the past month began after growing operations caught fire. One fire, believed caused by a cigarette or joint, led to the death of a 69-year-old man. Most of the basement and some upstairs rooms were being used to grow pot. In another case, a male attempting to steal from a growing operation was severely beaten and stabbed by the growers. Shields added that children were found in seven of the 38 homes, requiring involvement of the child-welfare authorities. In 14 homes, "hydro bypasses" were used to steal electricity, he said. One residence was fortified with barred windows and gated steel doors. The RCMP urges citizens who suspect they know of a growing operation to call 604-599-7771, or, anonymously to Crimestoppers at 604-669-TIPS. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh