MACHETES FROM DRUG BUST SHOW TRADE'S VIOLENT FACE

Two 30 centimeter machetes seized by Saanich police last week during
raids on grow operations show the violent side of drug
trafficking.

"Grow operations are not a victimless crime", Const. Chris Horsley
said Saturday. "There's an element of danger in having grow ops in
your neighbourhood. If people suspect there is a marijuana grow
operation, they should phone it in. You're dealing with a criminal
element." On Thursday evening, Saanich patrol officers raided a house
in the 3500 block of Savannah Avenue, seizing 300 plants.

A 27 year old man was arrested and later released. He will be charged
with cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose
of trafficking.

On Friday, members of the street crime unit and patrol officers raided
a rented house in the 4000 block of Tyndall Avenue. Police seized more
than 200 mature plants. A 38 year old man arrived at the house while
police were dismantling the grow operation and was arrested.

"It was a bit of a surprise for him", said Horsely. The man will be in
court this week to face charges of cultivating marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking. The 500 marijuana plants seized filled 12
burlap sacks. "This amount would have a big impact on young
people."said Horsley."If all this marijuana was put out into the
schools, it would cover the whole school district."

In a lock-up at the police station, with the machetes and the
marijuana plants, was a powerboard for diverting power and big grow
lamps with $300.00 bulbs. Police also seized a "restaurant grade"
ventilation system used to pull moisture and odor outside.

"Structural fires are quite common with grow operations," said
Horsley."Often the wiring is not up to code and it's done by amateurs."

Saanich police often get tips of grow operations and act on as many s
they can. "It comes down to how many resources we have at the end of
the day." "AS you know it's quite a problem."