TWO-WEEK LONG SWOOP-AND-SEIZE NETS DOPE HAUL

A month-long police investigation into indoor marijuana growing operations
begun on Feb. 19 has netted quite a haul in the South Okanagan. From
Westbank to Osoyoos and over to Princeton, RCMP executed 19 searches over a
15-day period and seized 3,950 marijuana plants along with all the growing
equipment associated with these operations.

Oliver was one of the communities targeted by the team of members from
various police detachments in the South Okanagan.

Team leader Cst. Terry Jacklin of the Penticton Property Crimes/Drug Task
Force, said that over a five day period his team searched six properties in
the Oliver area and seized approximately 2,000 plants.

To put the bust in another context, police reported that haul would have
supplied local students from kindergarten to grade 12 with a total of
400,000 to 500,000 marijuana cigarettes.

Six area people have been charged by police and further arrests are
possible. They are facing charges of production of a controlled substance
plus possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

In addition to the plants and paraphernalia, Jacklin said members of his
team found a loaded rifle at a residence on Hwy. 97, south of Oliver, as
well as a 1998 Bombardier Sea Doo personal water craft and trailer.
According to police, the Sea Doo was reported stolen from a dealership in
Richmond in 1998.

Two electrical bypasses were discovered in this area as well, and two males
face charges of theft of electricity in addition to the other charges.

A story in last week's Chronicle about police discovering a sophisticated
grow operation in an abandoned building on 93 Avenue was part of this
larger swoop operation.

Jacklin noted that the raids took place in Westbank, Summerland, Penticton,
Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos and Princeton. In all, the searches were
conducted at 13 rental properties and six owner-occupied residences.

The swoop-and-seize operation grew out of requests by detachment commanders
in the South Okanagan concerned with the rising number of indoor grow
operations in their communities. This is the second year since the South
Okanagan (Marijuana) Grow Eradication Team was formed.

He said now seems like a good time to remind owners of rental properties to
make sure they know who is renting their homes or apartments.

Jacklin points out that damage caused from indoor production of marijuana
is averaged at $8,000 per home. These repair costs are not covered by
insurance and therefore become the responsibility of the home owner.

He suggests following these tips may prove helpful and prevent financial
grief down the road:

Check references at the start of the tenancy.

Include terms in the tenancy agreement barring illegal activities.

Carry out regular inspection of the premises and have those inspection
periods written into tenancy agreements-such as every 30 to 45 days.

Note that most of the people involved in this illegal activity pay their
rent in cash.