ASIAN CRIME INFLUX FEARED

The trend in the Cariboo (as well North Central B.C.) is the arrival
of more Asian-descent residents from the Lower Mainland who purchase
properties "for the sole purpose of housing marijuana grow
operations," said RCMP Sgt. W. Brown, Williams Lake detachment commander.

"We believe this trend is related to Asian organized crime," Brown
said after RCMP there took down their sixth grow operation this year
in a residence in 150 Mile House.

Brown said "a modest 2,500 plants" and related growing equipment were
seized and a man and woman were arrested at the scene. Both face
charges of production of, and possession of a controlled substance
for trafficking purposes. The estimated yield value of their
operation is $2 million. RCMP in Williams Lake have seized about
11,000 marijuana plants so far in 2010.