LANDLORDS CAUTIONED ABOUT POT HOUSES

Police are cautioning landlords to take some precautions to prevent tenants
from growing marijuana after a relatively small grow operation was uncovered
Wednesday.

The Penticton RCMP property crimes/drug task force seized 45 mature
marijuana plants and arrested four individuals when they executed a search
warrant at a rental property in the 200-block Scott Avenue. The three men
and one woman were released with an order to appear in court Aug. 14.

Police also seized hydroponic growing equipment, drug paraphernalia and
about $2,000 in stolen property in the afternoon raid, said Const. Terry
Jacklin. Five dogs on the property were turned over to the city animal
control officer.

Jacklin said the occupants of the house were fairly new to the community, as
is often found to be the case with grow operations.

He noted a marijuana crop can be grown in as little as two-and-a-half to
three months and that a grow operation can be started in a small area of a
house.

"We remind landlords to be responsible and check up on your tenants on a
regular basis," said Jacklin.

"The damage done by indoor marijuana production can run into the thousands
of dollars," he said. "These damages are caused by renovations made to the
property in order to accommodate the indoor operation. Other damage is
caused by water damage as well as mold and mildew associated with high
levels of humidity inside the dwellings."

Jacklin said the mold and mildew that can be caused is similar to that
referred to as "condo rot" commonly encountered in so-called leaky condos in
the Lower Mainland. He notes the operations also pose a serious fire risk
from the high electrical needs to power high wattage lamps and other
equipment.

"Many insurance companies are not covering damages caused by indoor
marijuana production," Jacklin said.