COPS MOVE IN ON METRO GROW-OPS

Homes Raided, Warehouses Emptied As Several Arrests Made

Officers from Coquitlam, Burnaby and Surrey moved in Thursday on six
locations connected to the marijuana grow-op trade.

The most high-profile bust came at about 6 a.m., when RCMP shut down
the 200-block Schoolhouse Street in Coquitlam as the Emergency
Response Team broke up a sophisticated grow-op.

Police made frequent forays into the eight-bay warehouse yesterday
afternoon, gathering evidence after discovering some 2,000 to 3,000
plants at all stages of growth.

From the street, the grow-op was almost indistinguishable from the
warehouses on either side, but the windows were covered and the only
signs of a legitimate business were a couple of piles of wood with a
halfhearted sign promoting, "1 x 12 rough cedar, $1.50 /linear ft."

A skunky odour permeated the neighbourhood, and officers asked not to
be photographed to prevent them from blowing their covers. Police
have two men in custody.

Thursday was also the day Surrey RCMP, acting on a 140-page search
warrant, visited five homes and turned up three grow-ops.

The results of a two-month probe ended with 12 arrests along with the
seizure of 2,000 plants and a number of green garbage bags containing
pot in half-pound bags.

Surrey RCMP Sgt. Roger Morrow noted the Surrey connection appears to
be a family affair.

"A unique twist to this investigation is that, of the five homes that
were searched, one belonged to a mother and father, while a home next
door is owned by their son -- both of which contained illegal
grow-ops," he said.

Some of the homes had been the subject of police investigations.
Police hope that all five homes will be forfeited to the Crown.