GROW BUSTS MULTIPLY

The second grow-op drug bust this year marks another in a series of
crackdowns by police, increasing the number to a level never before
seen even by drug officers.

"It's a priority for the [RCMP detachment] inspector and the city and
so it's a priority for the drug section as well," says Constable Tim
Russell of the Terrace RCMP drug squad.

Officers described this latest drug house as a small-scale commercial
hydroponic grow operation after they executed a search warrant on a
Simpson Cres. residence in the Copper Mountain subdivision at 2:30
p.m. Jan. 17.

Police found electrical timers powering 1,000-watt lights, which are
typical in a grow-op, said Russell, and water pumps feeding nutrients
into the roots of the marijuana plants.

"There were significant electrical hazards located in the two rooms
that were growing the plants, which posed a significant risk of
catching fire," said RCMP.

Russell said the hazards not only included too many power cords
plugged into outlets but also improper wiring, circuit overloads and
melted electrical outlets.

Police also discovered a small amount of harvested marijuana packaged
in bags similar to how traffickers typically package it, he added.
Enough marijuana was discovered that even if prosecutors don't lay
trafficking charges, there's enough evidence to charge them for
possession, Russell said.

"It's just a matter of if Crown [prosecutors] decide there is enough
evidence for trafficking charges," he said.

It's possible for police to prevent the residence from being sold or
transferred to a different owner until the matter is resolved in court.

This was done to a house police raided last year.

If the accused are convicted, police will seek forfeiture of the
house.

"We have to go through a different set of lawyers down south; lawyers
who work for the federal government," said Russell.

A certain number of factors have to be established in the police
investigation first before a property can be restrained, he added.

The first raid of this year happened Jan. 11 and police arrested a man
and woman at a Marion Ave. residence in Jackpine Flats. Police said
they seized 220 marijuana plants in the residence and adjacent shop.

Charges are being recommended of production and possession for the
purpose of trafficking. The man and woman were later released.

In both drug seizures, police thanked the public for its assistance in
providing information to help officers locate marijuana grow ops.