SUSPECT A MARIJUANA GROW-OP IS NEAR YOU?

100 Mile RCMP Sgt. Don McLean has been travelling throughout the South
Cariboo presenting information to various groups about the marijuana
grow operations in the area.

The most recent presentation was to members of the South Cariboo
Community Planning Council, McLean says.

It was well attended, he adds, and community members are indicating
they were not aware of the size and scope of the marijuana production
problem in the Cariboo.

Tell-tale signs of a grow-op are as follows: vehicles coming and going
at night, including trailers, trucks, vans and U-hauls; lack of
activity during the day; inconsistent snow and garbage removal; a
persistent "skunky" smell; constant generator noise, or fans humming;
intense bright light from inside the residence or out-buildings;
residences with blacked out windows; and construction sounds with no
visible development.

In addition to the threats presented by organized crime, McLean says
other risks are present for homeowners near rural grow-ops. There is
always the risk of fire due to faulty electrical wiring, high
intensity lights and overheating ballasts, he notes, and the
environmental, economic and financial risks also threaten local residents.

McLean says there are some misunderstandings about marijuana grow-ops
being "mom-and-pop" operations, where people grow the plants for their
own use. According to RCMP information, that's not the case, as
grow-ops are predominantly established by organized crime groups and
part of the gun-and-drug trade.

Violence is quite common, whether it is through setting traps in and
around the grow-op locations or the "grow-rips" where rival gangs
target and steal marijuana, according to police statistics.

There is continued enforcement both from the local detachment and the
Cariboo Regional Integrated Marijuana Enforcement team, McLean says.
"Combating marijuana production continues to be a unit priority."

He adds that providing public education is also a unit priority and
police will continue to put the message out about the health,
environmental and financial legacies of marijuana production.

Contact the local RCMP at 250-395-2456 if you have or want information
about grow-ops. People who want to provide police with some
information and remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-TIPS (8477).