Pubdate: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Kamloops Daily News Contact: http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679 Author: Robert Koopmans GROW-OP BUST ONE OF LARGEST Police in Kamloops raided a massive marijuana grow operation in a warehouse in the Laval industrial area late Wednesday, one of the largest busts in recent city history. Members of the city's drug section got warrants and searched a warehouse on Laval Crescent. Inside, officers found more than 1,325 marijuana plants and almost 60 high-intensity growing lights. "This was a large commercial grow operation and was very well set up, with very sophisticated lighting and fertilizing equipment," said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Mike Stewart. "This was a really substantial one." Officers sought warrants after information from the public suggested the warehouse, leased to a Vancouver man, was being used to grow dope. Police executed the warrant around 11 p.m., and were surprised to discover the size of the operation. More than 2,500 square feet of floor space was occupied by marijuana plants and growing equipment. The grow op had not been in place for long, as the plants were only about 20 centimetres in size. Value of the marijuana is estimated at more than $620,000. Stewart said no one has been charged, although a suspect has been identified and charges are likely as the investigation proceeds. More than five officers spent several hours removing the plants and the equipment from the building, said Stewart. The evidence will be stored for a while, but it's likely the RCMP will seek a court order allowing for destruction. This is the second marijuana bust at a leased warehouse in as many months. In early March, police raided another warehouse in the same area and seized 315 plants. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake