GROW OP TAKEN DOWN

Marijuana A Strategic Priority For Police This Year

Langley RCMP cut the heart out of a large, sophisticated marijuana
grow operation on Valentine's day, seizing 3,000 plants and arresting
two Langley men.

Acting on a tip, drug officers searched an outbuilding in the 3100
block of 216 Street that appeared to have been modified to conceal the
operation.

The building was equipped with security cameras, an alarm system, and
all interior and exterior doors were of reinforced steel and locked
with high-security padlocks, said RCMP Cpl. Diane Blain.

She said that while the building was wired to B.C. Hydro source, the
majority of power came from an industrial-sized generator concealed
within the building.

The amount of money invested in the operation led police to believe
that it is linked to organized crime, Blain said.

The generator alone is worth $45,000, and a dozen air conditioning
units are valued at $5,000 each, she added.

Police were able to seize only eight of the air conditioners from the
grow-op which is capable of yielding three to four crops a year.

The plants, which were nearing maturity, were enough to produce at
least one million joints, Blain said.

Two Langley men, aged 36 and 39, are believed to be caretakers of the
operation.

They were arrested, and then released because they have no criminal
record, Blain said. They still face charges of cultivation and
possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Blain added that police are making marijuana grow ops a strategic
priority this year.

"We will be looking at different ways to tackle this problem, using
our bylaw officers and inspectors, looking at electrical and fire
safety, much like what they are doing in Surrey," said Blain.

The Township will recover the costs of closing down this grow-op from
the property owner.

Langley RCMP are urging the public to report grow operations or other
illegal drug activities to the drug tip line.