GROW OPS A SERIOUS BUSINESS

In the past five years, I have seen the problems of marijuana grow
operations increase exponentially in most, if not all, areas of the Lower
Mainland (Drug-raid policy splits police, May 10). I have six full-time
officers dealing with grow operations and we are barely scratching the surface.

We are not speaking of individuals with one or two plants for personal use,
but of organized criminal groups engaged directly or through a network in
mass distribution and exportation.

The police and judicial system lack the resources to investigate and
prosecute all of these operations. Consequences of these operations include
home invasions, extortion, violence and importing highly addictive drugs.

The Vancouver police approach of prosecuting only those cases that require
little follow-up is understandable. It is a question of achieving greater
deterrence and closing a higher proportion of these operations than could
be achieved by diligent long-term investigation and prosecution of
individual operations. This way, police officers at least disrupt a greater
volume of operations with their available resources.

Why has this become a problem of such magnitude in B.C. and not in
Washington, Idaho or Alberta? The media can play a valuable role in
educating the public about the differences that may exist within
jurisdictions and how this may have contributed to British Columbia's dilemma.

Cliff MacDonald Superintendent Royal Canadian Mounted Police Langley Detachment