MEDICAL GROW-OPS TARGETED

Three Robbed In Six Months; Licensed Growers Cautioned

Some Langley residents who are legally licensed to grow marijuana for
medicinal purposes are being ripped off by thieves.

Three medicinal marijuana growops have been robbed within the past
six months, although RCMP say there is no way to tell if the
facilities are being specifically targeted because they are a
medicinal operation or just because they have pot.

The latest incident happened Sunday at 3: 30 a.m. when two men, armed
with a rifle and a knife, forced their way into a home in the
Brookswood neighbourhood.

They overpowered the victim and tied him up, covering his eyes. They
ransacked the house, taking pot plants the victim was licensed to grow.

There was a similar incident in late December 2010 when five
individuals, two of them armed, forced their way into a residence in
the Fernridge area of south Langley, which was also legally licensed
to grow marijuana.

The plants weren't stolen because they weren't mature, but the
thieves left with a laptop and a cellphone.

In October 2010, a Willoughby residence, again licensed to grow
marijuana, was ransacked by three armed individuals. No arrests have
been made in any of the robberies.

"Any home invasion or any growrip is concerning, but I have no way of
knowing if this is specifically targeting medicinal grow operations,"
said Cpl. Holly Marks of the Langley RCMP, who advised licensed
grow-operators to employ basic home security.

Resident safety is something the City of Chilliwack is taking into
account as they consider asking strata councils to draft a bylaw that
would prohibit medicinal grow-operators from living in their buildings.

In addition to the safety risk associated with armed thefts, the city
is concerned with the fire and health hazards such operations pose.
There are an estimated 50 medicinal growops in Chilliwack, one of
which is in a strata building.

Elaine McCormack, a Vancouverbased real-estate lawyer, said such a
bylaw would likely be legal, although it could raise a number of
legal and, potentially, human rights challenges.

"I anticipate some very interesting legal proceedings resulting from
marijuana grow-ops in multi-family dwellings," she said.

The City of Chilliwack is expected to review the matter in a few months.

Anyone with information regarding the robberies is asked to call
Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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