CITY LOOKS AT WAYS TO FIGHT DRUG GROW-OPS

The City of Prince George may follow Surrey's lead and crack down on
marijuana grow operations in the city.

Since 2005 Surrey has a team of electrical, building and fire
inspectors which conducts inspections on confirmed and suspected
marijuana growing operations hidden in homes, Coun. Cameron Stolz said.

"What they've found is they put the 24-hour notice of inspection up
and by the next day the property is vacated," Stolz said. "An RCMP
officer attends and stands on the curb... for safety."

If evidence of a grow operation is found, it is permanently listed on
the title of the home, he said.

"(And) it forces the landlord to bring it back up to code," he
said.

Marijuana grow operations often pose dangerous fire hazards because
the homes are rewired to run large numbers of grow lamps and
hydroponics, Coun. Dave Wilbur said.

"The theft of hundreds of millions (of dollars) of Hydro power affects
the rates we all pay," he added.

According to the RCMP Criminal Intelligence Directorate, 85 per cent
of the marijuana trade in B.C. is controlled by organized crime.

The issue will come back before council on Dec. 14 for a
decision.

Prince George RCMP Supt. Brenda Butterworth-Carr said the RCMP would
welcome a partnership with the city's inspection and bylaw
enforcement.

"Certainly when we've taken down operations we notify bylaw
(enforcement) and the fire inspectors," she said. "(But) I think you
can improve on anything. It would bring that much more awareness to
landlords... and awareness for buyers that they're buying a former
grow op."