POWER THEFT PROVES SUCCESSFUL IN BUSTING GROWERS

Lake Country RCMP used a hydro warrant to move in quickly on a local
marijuana grow operation in an underground bunker Thursday.

They removed 800 plants, many of which were in bud, as well as cash
and equipment while arresting three people from the property on
McCoubrey Road.

Sgt. Reg Burgess said police got a tip about the possible marijuana
grow operation. Under normal circumstances that means police have to
mount a lengthy investigation before they can get a warrant to
search a home under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

As detailed in a previous story in the Capital News show, police
have found a way around that arduous process by keying on the theft
of power. Power companies like Fortis and B.C. Hydro can confirm
electricity theft allowing police to get a warrant for theft.

Often hydro theft is linked to a marijuana grow operation and if
police happen to find a grow op through the theft warrant, they can
take down the grow operation.

In this case, they found a rather extensive operation, though not
the first to use underground bunkers to grow marijuana. Burgess said
the entrance to the operation was through a regular garden shed. You
can walk several steps down into the dug out pit that was reinforced
with lumber and even some concrete. He said they even had a winch
set up to lower items into and bring items out of the bunker.

Inside, they found the usual lights used to grow hydroponic
marijuana as well as pumps for filtration. The intensive power
needed for grow ops is why growers try to bypass hydro meters.

B.C. Hydro and Fortis BC have even hired their own power theft
experts "mostly retired police officers" to follow up tips. Once
they confirm the meter doesn't reflect power use on the line, they
can confirm the crime is being committed and call in police to use
the hydro theft warrant.

Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers is even working on an agreement to
allow the power theft experts to access their tips.

Police investigate marijuana grow operations all year round, but
Burgess says with summer resources often depleted due to holidays or
extra duties, they have other priorities above grow ops. But with
summer coming to a quick end, he says we can expect more action soon.

"We know there are still lots of grow ops throughout the Okanagan,"
he said. "You can expect to see more in the fall and winter."

The acreage was being rented at the time of the warrant and the arrests.