POLICE GET TOUGH ON GROW OPS

It might not be a substantial dent, but it's a dent nonetheless, say local
RCMP about a series of grow operation busts in North Cowichan, Duncan and
outlying areas.

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP participated in an integrated task force
involving eight members from local detachments, Highway Patrol, the West
Coast Marine Detachment and the Organized Crime Agency out of Victoria.

The results of the month-long operation included seizure if 3,067 plants,
187 high power grow lights and paraphernalia, a vehicle and about $15,000
in cash.

"We made a dent," explained Sgt. Derek Crawford, of the North
Cowichan/Duncan detachment. "I don't know if I would go as far as saying
that we made a substantial dent (in shutting down grow operations)."

Crawford explained that while there would likely be a temporary slow down
in grow operations or temporary relocation of the grow ops, it is unlikely
the busts would have a profound effect on pot production in the Cowichan
Valley.

"It's a lucrative business," Crawford said.

The operation focused mainly on shutting down known grow-ops. The
organization of the month-long operation involved creative scheduling and
pooling of resources.

"We didn't have a goal in terms of numbers," Crawford explained. "We were
initially going after known locations, but found that as we started to look
into information about one, we would find out more information about others."

As a result of the operation, charges of production of a controlled
substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of
trafficking are expected against a total of 34 adults. Of the 34 adults, 23
were adult males and 11 were adult females.

In the Ladysmith area, numbers of grow-op busts also appear to be on the rise.

In the year 2000, there were a total of 11 residences searched and drugs
located.

Charges were laid in five of the 11 incidents.

So far in 2001, three searches have been executed and charges laid on each
occasion.

According to Ladysmith RCMP Staff Sgt. Charlie Schaal, the increase in
charges and searches can be attributed to good policing, dedicated members
and creative use of resources.

The Ladysmith detachment has created an internal team in which members take
on special grow-op projects, in addition to maintaining other police work.

"We're using some creative scheduling," Schaal said. "Members who are
interested have been using overtime resources from the province and the
municipality."

Last fall, the local RCMP started a concentrated effort to let local
neighbourhood residents know what to look for when spotting grow ops.

Since then, Schaal said the detachment has received more and better
information from the public, which means it's more likely neighbourhoods
will see police taking action more often.