GROW-OP HAD POTENTIAL TO BLOW

Cops are still sorting through all the gear they seized in a high-grade
marijuana grow operation that threatened to blow up half the
neighbourhood.

Members of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP's Street Crew arrested one man
and seized about 1,200 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, 54
grow lights and a loaded .243-calibre hunting rifle.

At press time Tuesday, the value of the marijuana was unknown.

Police were tipped to the Somenos Road house as a result of information
they received concerning a possible theft of hydro.

They made the bust June 26 after the Street Crew executed a search warrant
on the home.

Police combed the residence and two out buildings located at the property
just north of Duncan.

"The transformer used for the power is rated at 200 amps and the (grow op)
was running dangerously high at 264 amps," said RCMP Cpl. Kevin Day.

"It posed a serious risk of exploding," he said.

Day said there are no nearby homes to the grow operation, but dry
conditions could have led to an unmanageable wildfire if the house
exploded.

Police said the event was a reminder that grow operations could pose a
serious threat to the general public and are not victimless crimes.

Police did not name the adult male they arrested pending the man's court
appearance, but said recommended charges include production of marijuana,
possession for the purpose of marijuana as well as theft of hydro.

Similar charges are pending against a second individual.