RCMP SHUT DOWN GROW OPS

Nanaimo RCMP's Green Team did some early Christmas shopping to grab
suspects, cash, weapons and marijuana in six weeks of operations in
south Nanaimo.

Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said the team worked 25
cases resulting in 14 search warrants.

The inventory of confiscated goods included 1,257 marijuana plants, 25
kilograms of dried marijuana, 150 hydroponic lights, $120,000 in
Canadian cash, $10,000 in U.S. cash, one silver bar worth about
$1,200, two shot guns and a .22 calibre rifle.

Fourteen suspects received a combined total of 25 drug-related charges
and five criminal code charges.

Revenue Canada was also contacted about several of the accused
involving undisclosed income, said O'Brien.

Two files are being reviewed for possible civil forfeiture of
property.

The RCMP no longer releases information about the monetary value of
marijuana seized, but some reports - including one from U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency - indicate B.C. grown marijuana is the most
valuable variety.

One kilogram wholesales in B.C. for roughly $5,000, but commands
prices in some U.S. market areas like California and New York for more
than $20,000 - up to five times the selling price of U.S. and Mexican
varieties.

"It's a very lucrative business, however, the risk associated with it
is not worth it," said O'Brien. "If you're prepared to lose your home,
possibly have your children seized by the Ministry of Children and
Families because you've subjected them to an illegal operation and
having the chemicals in the home - possible civil lawsuit if there's a
fire. The risk is very high."

Other concerns include seizures of firearms. Grow operations can spark
violence, sometimes from competitors trying to rip off other grow ops,
which makes growers highly protective of their crops.

Fire is another risk. Police estimate one in 10 grow operations result
in a fire, often from dangerous wiring used to pirate
electricity.

The recent operation will have a short-term impact on the marijuana
trade, but there are plenty more grow operations operating around Nanaimo.

"Our belief, and it's from reliable intelligence, is that there are
anywhere from 50 to 100 active grow operations in the city at any one
time," he said. "This will disrupt some channels, however it's a
continuous problem which will take a combined effort from various
agencies to tackle."

Along with enforcement, education is a key component in fighting the
drug trade.

"Hopefully it's a generational thing, that we can educate people to
the hazards of it," said O'Brien.