MISSION RCMP WARNS MARIJUANA GROWERS OF TARGETED VIOLENT ROBBERIES

Mission RCMP is warning both legal and criminal pot growers of an
increasing number of violent robberies they believe are linked to an
organized crime group.

Cpl. Sharon Siluch said the number of "grow rips" is on the rise in
Mission, with the robberies becoming increasingly violent. So far in
2011, 32 properties have been targeted, with violence being used in
almost one third of the attacks.

"We believe there is an organized criminal group targeting all types
of marijuana grow ops in Mission. We're concerned because we've
observed a growing level of violence during grow rips," Siluch said.

Those raiding the grow-ops are using sophisticated techniques to
detect the presence of marijuana grow operations, Siluch said.
Techniques include the group using several lookout vehicles and the
use of two-way radios.

The raiders are employing reconnaissance techniques such as drilling
holes into out-buildings and using snake cam-eras to monitor plant
maturity, and are sneaking onto private property to monitor electrical
meter readings, Siluch said.

When the robbers are ready to move in, they "are quite pre-pared to
use force in order to subdue occupants and steal crops," Siluch said.

In two cases this year, victims who resisted were shot, and survived.

Siluch said the attackers arrive in a group and are equipped with
weapons and tools such as firearms, bear spray, impact weapons (bats,
machetes, swords) bindings, duct tape or plastic straps.

"We have reason to believe that there may be some licensed marijuana
grow operators who have been victimized by this group, but who haven't
come forward to police," Siluch said. "We remind all persons involved
in growing marijuana that police have a duty to respond and will
aggressively investigate crimes against persons, which include
robbery, assault and forcible confinement. Our goal is to stop these
violent criminals before anyone else gets hurt."

Three people have been charged in separate Mission grow rips over the
last year.

Abbotsford resident Kenneth Chudley, 26, is facing counts of robbery,
break and enter, aggravated assault and unlawful confinement for a
December 2010 robbery. Ste-fan Andre Morin, 27 from Coquitlam, was
charged with break and enter after a March 2011 grow rip. And
Coquitlam resident Christopher Anthony Morgado, 24, was charged with
break and enter after a May 2011 robbery.