POSH POT GROW-OP BUSTED

$500,000 Operation In Wascana View home

A house on aptly-named Wascana Greens in an affluent, southeast Regina
neighbourhood had more than a half million dollars worth of pot plants
growing in the basement.

"With over 500 plants and they estimate over $500,000 -- that would be
a significant grow operation," Regina police spokesperson Elizabeth
Popowich said Friday. A man and woman who, according to police, reside
in the house were charged and released from custody.

"It was a family residence," said Popowich, who confirmed children
also live there.

From the outside, the spacious, two-storey stucco house in the 2000
block of Wascana Greens resembles many others in the desirable Wascana
View neighbourhood -- where the residents are more likely to be
lawyers than accused drug dealers. There's a dual-entrance garage,
charming window treatments, a potted plant in the front window, and
the makings of a snowman in the front yard.

But when the Regina Integrated Drug Unit moved inside with a search
warrant on Nov. 14, the Regina police and RCMP officers found what
they call a "sophisticated" marijuana grow operation. They seized 527
plants, 24 grow lights with shrouds, and $5,700 cash. Police only went
public with the bust Friday.

"What it tells us is that a marijuana grow operation could be set up
almost anywhere. Appearances are deceiving," Popowich said.

The value of the goods and plants seized is estimated by police at
$525,000. Police generally estimate potential street value of
marijuana at $1,000 per mature plant.

Photographs released by police show row upon row of healthy, green
mature marijuana plants growing in pots in the unfinished, insulated
basement. There were also seedlings under plastic.

The photographs also reveal an overloaded electrical system, with
roughly 20 cords plugged into a row of electrical outlets, timers, and
numerous electrical wires snaking into a breaker box. Police allege
the system was set up to bypass both the water and power meters so the
utilities couldn't track the abnormal usage.

"There are health concerns often associated with marijuana grow
operations simply because of high humidity and mould and moisture in
the house," noted Popowich "The investigators said that it appeared
that this grow operation probably hadn't been in place longer than six
months ... meaning that there was not a great deal of mould in the
house."

She said the investigation concluded with Monday's arrests, which
occurred without incident.

Vu Min Ly, a 33-year-old man, and Hanh Thi Hong Phan, a 37-year-old
woman, are charged with stealing power and water services, production
of marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking
and proceeds of crime. They were released on an undertaking to appear
in provincial court on Dec. 13.

Regina and area has seen several large marijuana busts recently. Last
week, police found 270 plants at house on the 10-block of Rae Street.
In September, there were 280 plants in a home at 3325 Tanager Cres. in
Eastpointe Estates. The province recorded what is believed to be its
biggest pot bust in August when 7,592 marijuana plants were found
growing in makeshift, outdoor greenhouses on the Pasqua First Nation,
about 20 kilometres west of Fort Qu'Appelle.