POLICE BUST NEIGHBOURHOOD GROW OPERATIONS

Charges Laid:Rcmp 'Green Team' Seizes Plants And Equipment After Raid
Of Eight Residents On One Street.

It might have seemed like the neighbourly thing to
do.

But now it will mean a date with the justice system after eight
residences in the 1000 block of St. George Crescent were busted for
marijuana grow operations.

Six Vietnamese females and four males are charged with various
offences under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act.

In total, police seized about 1,000 marijuana plants and 55 lights and
equipment.

Nine kilograms of dried marijuana bud were also located in one of the
residences at 1050A and B, and 1062 A and B St. George Cres.

Police say it appears the houses have been used for a lengthy period
of time to grow the marijuana. All were rental properties.

More suspects are being sought in this investigation. One suspect was
detained in custody and made a court appearance Tuesday.

The raid capped a busy week for the Green Team. On Tuesday members of
the RCMP drug section stopped two men in a rented vehicle and seized
over 35 kg of dried marijuana.

The drug was found packaged in an empty fuel tank that had been
modified to hide the drugs.

The marijuana was believed to be en route to Nova Scotia.

Two men face charges of possession and possession for the purpose of
trafficking in a controlled substance.

In addition, the Green Team went outside the city to shut down tow
more grow operations.

The first raid involved the seizure of a 27-light grow operation at
7403 Andrea Cres. in Lantzville.

A total of 195 marijuana plants were seized. One adult male was
arrested and faces charges.

Hydro was diverted in that instance.

Police also raided a residence at 13485 Doole Rd. in Yellow Point. An
8,000-square-foot workshop was found to hold a sophisticated
commercial grow operation with 300 marijuana plants and 20 lights.

Also seized was a silent generator hidden in a soundproof
room.

Two males are being held in custody in that case.