Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Richmond Public Library Contact: http://www.richmondreview.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704 Author: Martin van den Hemel Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) REALTOR FACING $145,000 BILL FOR SEPTEMBER METH LAB BUSTS City Has Billed 17 Properties A Total Of Nearly $200,000 Nearly $200,000 worth of invoices have been issued to local property owners since last summer's enactment of a new bylaw empowering the city to seek compensation for costs associated with shutting down drug labs and grow-ops. City of Richmond spokesperson Kim Decker told The Richmond Review 17 properties have been billed with 20 invoices thus far, for a total amount of $197,799.42. While most marijuana grow-ops have resulted in city costs in the range of $1,800 and $4,500, two massive methamphetamine busts in September were extremely costly to clean up. A rundown two-storey house on No. 5 Road, and another on Steveston Highway, were discovered by the Richmond RCMP who said they seized enough chemical precursors to manufacture 15 million ecstasy pills worth as much as $300 million. Richmond realtor Albert Luk, who is linked to both properties as an owner, is facing numerous drug-related charges in Richmond provincial court. He is now also facing a bill for $145,687.05 for the clean-up. Protective suits worn by firefighters, police investigators and clean-up crews cost as much as $800 each, and about 100 of them were used at the No. 5 Road home, according to police. The City of Richmond enacted a new bylaw on July 1, 2005, giving the city the right to seek compensation for the cost of inspection, police and other emergency services from property owners linked to drug busts. Local politicians touted the new bylaw as giving an indication that the city won't tolerate the proliferation of marijuana grow-ops and methampethamine labs. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin