GROW OPERATIONS BUSTED IN KIMBERLEY; ABSENTEE LANDLORDS LEARN TO CHECK
REFERENCES

Local police urge landlords to get the 'dope' on potential tenants before
allowing them to rent their property.

Unfortunately, a Calgary landlord learned this lesson the hard way.

Cpl. John Rasmussen of the Kimberley RCMP detachment said property owners
of a Marysville home "discovered a most unfortunate situation" on Jan. 11.

The Calgary landlords, who were on vacation in the East Kootenay, popped by
to inspect their rental property.

"The owners had called a week prior to give notice to their tenant and were
now ready to inspect the home," Rasmussen said. "Upon arriving at the
residence, they discovered the place was abandoned with no sign of their
tenant. The owners entered the residence to find that the home had been
damaged and left in an uninhabitable state."

Rasmussen said the Calgarians quickly realized their renter had used the
home to run "a sizable" indoor hydroponic marijuana grow operation.

"The residence appears to have been a flop house for several people and its
primary use appeared to be for the cultivation of marijuana," Rasmussen added.

The property owners were out of luck as they rented the Marysville home by
way of the telephone and had not met the renter in person nor had they
signed a rental agreement.

Consequently, the owners could not confirm the renters name or physical
appearance.

As a result of this particular incident and the increasing prevalence of
indoor marijuana operations in Cranbrook and Kimberley police suggest that
landlords be extremely wary of renting to unknown people.

Rasmussen urged landlords to check references and enter a legally binding
rental agreement.

"In this particular case tracing the fictitious renter will be a difficult
task," said Rasmussen.

However he said police officers will continue to investigate.

A day later, members of Kimberley's detachment busted another grow
operation on Fortier Street.

Const. Gord Campbell said officers seized four pounds of pot that was
drying, 22 growing plants as well as cultivation equipment. Officers
estimate the seized quantity would provide enough 'weed' for 12,300 'joints.'

Police arrested a 25 year-old Kimberley resident in connection with the
operation. Police laid two charges against the man - production of a
controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. The
accused will make his first court appearance March 7.