NINETEEN GROW-OPS BUSTED IN ONE TOWNHOUSE COMPLEX

Nineteen grow-ops have been busted in a well-manicured, 90-unit
Richmond townhome complex this month, resulting in the seizure of
1,350 plants.

"This is clearly an example of what the grow-op industry is developing
into," said Richmond RCMP Cpl. Peter Thiessen. "It's in every corner
of where we live."

The investigation was sparked by a home invasion on March 10 when
three masked gunmen busted into a Cranberry Lane townhome in the
22200-block of Sharpe Avenue. A 38-year-old woman and 45-year-old man,
were held at gunpoint as one of the gunmen ran upstairs and then
yelled, "We've got the wrong place." The trio apologized and left.

A subsequent investigation led police to a grow-op next door, which
then led to the discovery of several more in the complex.

On March 24, two search warrants were executed in two units. On
Wednesday, another 16 grow-ops were busted, bringing the total to 19.
Only three people have been arrested. Police suspect about 7,000
plants were removed before the raids.

"It's happening right next door and you don't even know it," said
neighbour Joanne Decelis. "That's the scary thing, you don't know
what's happening around you."

Jonathan Merrick, who didn't know his neighbours were housing
grow-ops, said: "They've become so ubiquitous . . . it's just like,
oh, another grow-op."

Last month, Mounties busted 28 grow-ops in a townhouse complex in
Coquitlam.