'DOZERS TAKE ON GROW OPS

Crimefighters have a new weapon in their arsenal against marijuana grow
operations.

It's called a bulldozer.

Nanaimo city council issued a demolition order this week against Westside
Estates Ltd., owner of property at 2518 Rosstown Rd., where RCMP found an
illegal grow op last month.

The Victoria-based company has 30 days to make the house safe - or the city
can bulldoze it.

RCMP estimate there are between 100 and 300 active grow ops in Nanaimo at
any given time, and they hope getting tough with landlords will give new
ammunition in the war on drugs.

RCMP recently brought city inspectors and public health authorities on a
tour of the Rosstown Road property, where they saw supporting walls torn
out to maximize growing space, and electrical wiring tampered with.

"It's now compromised the structural integrity of the building," says Toby
Seward, manager of the city permits division.

Moisture from the plants spawned mold - a potential for health problems,
Seward adds.

Police jurisdiction only covers criminal law.

But New Westminster city council recently introduced bylaws to encourage
police to work together with city bylaw staff and health officials to stamp
out grow ops.

RCMP will travel to New Westminster soon to find out more.