Pubdate: Wed, 11 May 2011 Source: 100 Mile House Free Press (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 100 Mile House Free Press Contact: http://www.100milefreepress.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2143 Author: Heather Nelson, 100 Mile House Free Press SUSPECT A MARIJUANA GROW-OP IS NEAR YOU? 100 Mile RCMP Sgt. Don McLean has been travelling throughout the South Cariboo presenting information to various groups about the marijuana grow operations in the area. The most recent presentation was to members of the South Cariboo Community Planning Council, McLean says. It was well attended, he adds, and community members are indicating they were not aware of the size and scope of the marijuana production problem in the Cariboo. Tell-tale signs of a grow-op are as follows: vehicles coming and going at night, including trailers, trucks, vans and U-hauls; lack of activity during the day; inconsistent snow and garbage removal; a persistent "skunky" smell; constant generator noise, or fans humming; intense bright light from inside the residence or out-buildings; residences with blacked out windows; and construction sounds with no visible development. In addition to the threats presented by organized crime, McLean says other risks are present for homeowners near rural grow-ops. There is always the risk of fire due to faulty electrical wiring, high intensity lights and overheating ballasts, he notes, and the environmental, economic and financial risks also threaten local residents. McLean says there are some misunderstandings about marijuana grow-ops being "mom-and-pop" operations, where people grow the plants for their own use. According to RCMP information, that's not the case, as grow-ops are predominantly established by organized crime groups and part of the gun-and-drug trade. Violence is quite common, whether it is through setting traps in and around the grow-op locations or the "grow-rips" where rival gangs target and steal marijuana, according to police statistics. There is continued enforcement both from the local detachment and the Cariboo Regional Integrated Marijuana Enforcement team, McLean says. "Combating marijuana production continues to be a unit priority." He adds that providing public education is also a unit priority and police will continue to put the message out about the health, environmental and financial legacies of marijuana production. Contact the local RCMP at 250-395-2456 if you have or want information about grow-ops. People who want to provide police with some information and remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.