COPS BUST KIRKLAND GROW HOUSE

Resident reads the signs, leads police to make marijuana seizure: No trash
on collection days, covered windows and strange electrical humming are some
of the tips Station 1 offers to help neighbours detect illegal activity

The Gazette

Station 1

Serving Beaconsfield, Baie d'Urfe, Kirkland, Ste. Anne de Bellevue and
Senneville

A tip from a suspicious resident led police to dismantle a grow house in
Kirkland last month and seize 738 marijuana plants as well as 1,098 grams
of marijuana.

"Thanks to information provided by citizens, police officers from Station 1
and from the West-End Drug Squad carried out, at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 20, a
search and seizure in a home on Timberlea Trail in Kirkland, discovering a
grow house," said Montreal police Constable Anthony Kissmate.

He said a citizen, who had just read tips on how to detect the presence of
grow houses, called police.

Kissmate said the value of the plants was estimated at $738,000 on the
black market; and the value of the marijuana and equipment was estimated at
$10,000.

Kissmate said the basement of the home had been completely transformed into
a grow house.

"Criminal accusations for production and possession with the intent to
traffic are pending," he said.

Station 1 commander Michel Lecompte said that since 2002, including the
search and seizure on Timberlea Trail, Station 1 officers, with the help of
the drug squad, have dismantled 32 grow houses on its territory.

Here are some marijuana seizure statistics from Station 1, including the
latest bust, dating back to 2002 :

32 grow houses dismantled

9,676 plants seized

59, 570 grams seized

$10.2 million worth of plants and grams

$333,690 in equipment

32 criminal accusations laid

Areas most affected are Beaconsfield and Kirkland, with 13 and nine grow
houses discovered, respectively

Lecompte offers the following tips to help detect grow houses.

Unusual visitor behaviour: Inconsistencies in visitors to and from the
residence, ranging from no visitors, giving the appearance of seclusion, to
frequent visitors for short periods.

Little trash: The residence will probably not have any garbage out on the
sidewalk on collection days, because grow houses are commonly used for the
sole purpose of growing marijuana.

Covered windows: The windows might be covered with black plastic, heavy
curtains pressed against the window or blinds that are tightly shut and
pressed against the window.

Condensation: Given high temperature, condensation might form on the windows.

Smells and odours: Particular smells and odours may emanate from the home.

Electrical humming, fans, trickling water: Some electrical components in
grow house operations create humming sound similar to a transformer on a
hydroelectricity pole.

Bright lights: High-intensity lamps are usually used and are sometimes not
completely disguised. The lights are the same as in school gyms and outdoor
parks.

Station 1 officers ask residents to let them know if they suspect a house
is being used to cultivate marijuana. Residents can call their local police
station or the Crime Stoppers anonymous line: (514) 393-1133.