GROW-OP BYLAW GETS FIRST TEST

The City of Penticton's new anti-grow-op legislation is getting its
first test after RCMP seized 250 pot plants, weapons and a quantity of
dried marijuana from a local home. Under the bylaw, adopted by
Penticton council last April, landlords could face a maximum $5,000
fine upon conviction and be liable for remediation costs.

Members of the RCMP drug task force raided a home on Chatham Place at
about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. In addition to the marijuana plants, police
seized about four kilograms of dried marijuana, five firearms and two
crossbows.

A man and woman, both 25, were arrested at the scene and face charges
of production of marijuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking,
and theft of telecommunications related to electrical and water system
bypasses. The man has also been charged with careless storage of a
firearm.

No names have been released. The couple are to appear in court April
16.

Jack Kler, the city's director of corporate services, said Wednesday
the city intends to follow through with enforcement of its new bylaw.

"We have the authority now to recover costs incurred by the RCMP in
dismantling the grow-op," Kler said. "It also gives us the authority
to terminate water and power to the residence."

The city will post a notice on the front door of the home, stating the
residence cannot be reoccupied until it has passed an inspection.

If a bypass of the home electrical meter is discovered, the city can
bill the homeowner for the estimated loss of electrical revenue.
Non-compliance would mean court action and possible fines.

Kler added if it is a rental home, the registered property owner will
be notified and supplied with a list of the city requirements before
the home can be rented out again. "We're exercising the full extent of
the bylaw," he said.

Meanwhile, RCMP Corp. Rick Dellebuur said those entering the Penticton
detachment office Wednesday morning gained a strong indication that a
drug bust had occurred. The odour of the seized marijuana permeated
the building.

"All you could smell was the marijuana in the office. They store it in
the (evidence) room and it gets into the ventilation system," he said.

The marijuana has since been taken elsewhere.