GROW-OP BUSTS KEEP CRIME UNIT IN ACTION

A marijuana grow operation was busted near Canim Lake on Sept. 8 by
the 100 Mile House RCMP detachment and the Cariboo Region Integrated
Marijuana Enforcement task force (CRIME).

100 Mile House RCMP Staff Sgt. Brian Coldwell says in its search of
three, separate neighbouring properties, police found 3002 plants and
approximately 30 pounds of dried bud, with an estimated street value
of more than $1 million.

Two male Canim Lake residents were arrested and released until their
court date, and Coldwell adds police will be recommending charges.

"The execution of that search warrant is an example of the detachment
and the CRIME team working together to combat the drug problems in 100
Mile House and the [rest of the Cariboo.]"

In the wake of another successful grow-op bust, CRIME is moving
forward in a second community phase initiative.

The completed one-year pilot project ran out early this month, but
recently received the authority and funding to continue.

Coldwell says the work undertaken in the first phase will continue to
consult with local governments to look for legislation changes or
other ideas to combat the rising number of marijuana grow-ops.

There are more than 100,000 marijuana plants worth millions of dollars
that have been taken off the streets by CRIME operations in the
Cariboo, he notes.

"In the past, we'd have to do these grows as part of our everyday
policing, and it becomes very expensive for the detachment to fund
these searches and then defend them in court."

The team's shared manpower also frees up local officers to work on
other investigations, Coldwell says.

Often the cases move through courts so slowly that RCMP members had to
be brought back to a community where they served at the time of a
bust, he explains, further adding to costs.

Multiple stakeholders in the community, as well as municipal,
provincial and federal representatives are consulted by CRIME to
obtain input on how best to tackle the issue of reducing marijuana
operations.

At the local detachment last year, an education campaign provided
presentations to help local community associations, crime watch
groups, realtors and others identify the signs to watch for in their
area, Coldwell adds.

Actions this year for CRIME may involve formation of a team to
determine actions to ensure properties are made safe and habitable
after a grow-op has been in operation, he says, adding it will
potentially include police and BC Hydro, and bylaw, fire and
electrical inspectors.

A report with recommendations from the past progress of the CRIME
program will direct what is to be carried out in the second phase.