RCMP GIVE TIPS ON SPOTTING DRUG HOUSES

The issue of drugs in smaller communities like Wetaskiwin and drug
houses is a reality.

It is something that operates in all parts of the province and
country and, according to RCMP, in any neighbourhood.

Those attending a Wetaskiwin RCMP detachment Crime Prevention
Workshop early this month got a look at what are the drugs of choice,
and how to spot if they are being produced and sold in you area.

Const. Andrea Nadeau from the Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment led the
discussion, and she told those in attendance that there are many
marijuana grow-ops busted in the province each year, and the pot is
grown in everything from apartment closets to farm fields.

One of the big drugs of choice these days is crystal meth, which is
cooked up several types of meth labs. Nadeau said you can spot signs
that the house is either a grow op or a meth lab.

"The key is that they don't want people to come near, because it's
dangerous. Signs to keep away are no trespassing (signs), beware of
dogs, if there is no evidence of commercial activity, no one seems to
live there and people come and go," said Nadeau.

"These are basically just indicators of suspicious activity. If you
see these types of signs, you never know, it could be a lab. Unusual
or strong orders of chemicals or solvents and residence with the
windows blacked out.

"Unusual traffic to and from the residence, especially moving things
in and out late at night, or if someone only comes by once a week
late at night. Also if it is always different people coming by."

Nadeau said another sign to watch for, especially in a grow op is
timed lights inside the house going on at strange hours, like around
2 a.m. She said marijuana plants need a specific amount of light to
grow, so grow ups will have lights set on timers.

Also if there is a lot of trash around, or if the trash is never put
out for the garbage collectors, and is always hauled personally hauled away.

"Once you throw it out on the curb, it is fair game for police, so a
lot of people who are sophisticated in running these labs, will take
their trash with them," she said.

"Evidence within a trash bag is good for police to get a search
warrant to get into that house."

She said there are also things to watch for if you think there is a
house in your neighbourhood being used as a pick up point for the
dealing of illegal drugs.

"The stash house is not the same as the house where the drugs are
made, because they don't want the two connected," said Nadeau.

"What we look for as police is people coming up and staying for less
than five minutes, or a minute or two and leaving, and also cars
coming in and out, in and out, or walking. If you have a visitor
nobody really stays for one minute, unless they are picking something up."

Nadeau said another sign a house is being used for dealing drugs is
if people park a block or so away and walk up to the house.

"If they are suspicious that a neighbour might be taking down license
plate, or they might be told by whoever is in the house that you
should be walking there," said Nadeau.

Wetaskiwin used to have a Report a Drug House line, but due to a lack
of funding, the line was not sustainable.

But, Wetaskiwin RCMP Const. Scott Mercer said Crimestoppers is
another resource for people looking to report something suspicious,
or give information, and it is anonymous.