POWER-DRAINING GROW-OP BUSTED

Vancouver police say a marijuana grow-op in an east-side industrial
area gave itself away by using massive undisguised amounts of
electricity.

After hydro records were obtained, police moved in on Friday to
dismantle the operation.

Unlike most grow-ops, the power being used was not being bypassed,
which is normally done to avoid detection by authorities.

Vancouver police drug squad Det. Rusty Fostvelt said about 1,300
plants in various stages of growth were taken from the main floor of
the building at 258 East 1st Ave.

He said police estimate the growers were making $50,000 a month from
the plants.

Neighbouring businesses did not detect any smell because of an
elaborate filtering system in the growing area.

Fostvelt said the people involved are believed to be linked to
organized crime.