Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2005
Source: Hope Standard (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Hope Standard
Contact:  http://www.hopestandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1397
Author: Simone Rolph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

RCMP TRACK DOWN GROW-OPS

Over 2000 marijuana plants were seized by police in four illegal grow 
operations, over a two-day period, last week.

With four grows, in just two days, it shows that police are taking 
grows seriously and if you have one," in the Hope and Boston Bar 
area, it is just a matter of time before we find you," says Hope RCMP 
commander Dale Kjhemus. Get the message, we are not going to tolerate it."

An early morning police raid on a rural property along a logging road 
in the American Creek area, Thursday, (July 14), netted police three 
hundred and forty plants from an outbuilding on the property.

One male was arrested at the scene and is facing charges.

The same day, police executed a search warrant on a second property 
in the 22,000 block of Ross Road, where 104 plants were discovered by police.

Several boxes of recently harvested marijuana were also seized.

One adult male in the house at the time of the raid was arrested and 
is facing charges of production of marijuana and possession of a 
controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Power to the home was cut by authorities after it was deemed unsafe.

The next day another property in area of American Creek was searched 
by police. A highly sophisticated" marijuana grow-op was located in a 
large underground bunker with a hidden entrance way, reports 
Constable Kurt Bosnell. One thousand, six hundred and sixty-six 
marijuana plants were seized from the bunker, along with hydroponics 
grow equipment.

A female and a male were arrested and are facing charges if approved 
by crown counsel.

The next evening, police executed another search warrant for a home 
in the 66000 block of Kawkawa Lake Road. The search lead to a grow 
operation in the basement of the residence, as well as an outdoor 
grow operation elsewhere on the hillside property.

Approximately 500 marijuana plants were seized.

One male was arrested at the home.

Police also recovered a truck that had been reported stolen earlier 
in the year.

In connection to the raids, five people are facing charges. No names 
are being released.

Under the Controlled Substance and Property Bylaw, property owners of 
the Ross Road and Kawkawa Lake Road residences may be charged as well 
by the District of Hope.

Under the new bylaw, property owners causing, permitting or allowing 
property to become or remain a marijuana grow operation, commit an 
offence punishable upon summary conviction and are liable to a fine 
not less than $1,000 and not to exceed $10,000. The bylaw can also 
lead to the revocation of the home's occupancy permit until deemed 
safe by qualified health and electrical inspectors.

The bylaw comes back on property owners, adds Kjehmus. Now property 
owners can not just ignore what is happening. Hopefully enforcing the 
bylaw will pass that message on."
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MAP posted-by: Beth