CITY SUPPORT SOUGHT TO CONTINUE MARIJUANA BUSTS

Vancouver city council will be asked Tuesday to continue support for the
police department's Growbusters program of raiding marijuana-growing
operations.

Drug squad Inspector Kash Heed said the program is important and he sees no
reason for council to vote against a three-year extension of the program,
which city staff have recommended.

A city reports says the extension of the program will cost approximately
$480,000 annually, which includes money for city staff, equipment and the
purchase of a forward-looking infrared device [FLIR] to assist police in
the detection of grow operations.

The costs do not include the time of the six officers provided for the
program by the police department. Those costs are funded through the police
operating budget.

Since the project started in July 2000, it has resulted in the closure of
1,114 growing operations and $200 million in marijuana has been seized. As
well, approximately $6.2 million in equipment and $400,000 in cash has been
seized.

Despite the report's support for the program, internal documents obtained
by The Vancouver Sun last year showed the Growbusters had engaged in
possibly illegal behaviour such as conducting searches without warrants and
destroying marijuana growing-operation equipment instead of seizing it as
evidence.

The Police Complaints Commissioner launched a review of Growbusters. That
review found the team was operating within the law, but should have sought
legal advice before engaging in questionable activities.