MARIJUANA FOUND IN 19 UNITS OF COMPLEX

Growing operations in Richmond townhouse complex tied to Asian
organized-crime rings, say police

Marijuana-growing operations have been found in 19 housing units in
the 90-unit Cranberry Lanes townhouse complex in east Richmond,
prompting several residents to say they're considering a move to a
safer neighbourhood.

"I'm beyond floored," renter Don Hall said of the massive marijuana
seizure from five units on his street, Sharpe Avenue, and from 14
homes on nearby Muir Drive.

"I've loved this neighbourhood," he said of the area where he and his
family have lived for the past eight years. "But, now, with all this .
. . happening, that concerns me big-time."

Over the course of the month, Richmond RCMP have seized 1,350
marijuana plants from 19 units.

Three people were arrested during one of those searches March 24.
Police said the growing operations are tied to Asian organized-crime
rings.

And while the marijuana trade is nothing new to the city, Cpl. Peter
Thiessen of the Richmond RCMP said it is unusual to see a number of
units being used to grow marijuana in a single complex.

"We haven't had one like this before," he admitted.

Thiessen said more marijuana plants likely would have been discovered
in the latest seizure on Wednesday had officers not had to issue
notice to homeowners --through the complex's property manager --
before carrying out a home-by-home inspection on the suspected units.

"We likely lost upwards of 5,000 or 6,000 plants while we were waiting
to gain entrance," Thiessen said. "But our ultimate goal was to get
this thing shut down."

Normally, police must obtain a search warrant based on evidence
gathered by investigating officers before entering a suspected
marijuana-growing operation. Thiessen said that method of
investigation can take weeks.

But because so many of the units were under suspicion, in this case,
Thiessen said police wanted to save time.

On Tuesday, the development's property manager posted 24-hour
emergency inspection notices on 21 townhouse units. In the course of
that inspection, police said the property manager found evidence of 15
recently dismantled growing operations. A search warrant was executed
on one more unit, resulting in no charges being laid.

Thiessen said police were aware the notice would prompt growers to
harvest their illegal crops, "but we needed to get in there."

The result, he added, is that the complex "is a safer place to
live."

Neighbours said expensive vehicles, including Hummers, Mercedes and
Porsches, appeared to be the common denominator among residents
connected with the growing operations.

Hall said the man he knew vaguely as the tenant at a raided unit on
Sharpe Avenue was "the only person on the street who owned a black
Mercedes SUV."

Neighbours also complained about late-night comings and goings and
anti-social behaviour by residents connected with the growing operations.

Police said the majority of the townhouses involved in the operations
were not being lived in.

Nanette Sharest of Carrington Properties, the Edmonton-based company
that owns 89 townhomes in the Cranberry Lanes complex, said her
company has learned a "valuable lesson" from the recent marijuana seizures.

Sharest said the company will step up inspections of units within the
complex and tighten lease-agreement requirements.