BC HYDRO TAKES TOUGH STAND ON MARIJUANA GROWING OPERATIONS

The province's power company is taking a tougher stand on marijuana
growing operations.

BC Hydro and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
announced Friday the power company is partnering with CrimeStoppers to
encourage people to report suspected grow operations.

With the new partnership, BC Hydro's energy diversion investigators
will now be able to obtain the addresses of suspected growing
operations reported to the CrimeStoppers' Tip Line.

This new information will assist investigators in confirming energy
thefts and recovering funds.

If evidence of theft is found, BC Hydro lays complaints with law
enforcement agencies, which in turn obtain search warrants and
recommend charges.

It is believed this partnership will increase the identification of
electricity theft in the province and assist police in shutting down
grow-ops in B.C.