PROPERTY OWNER MAY FACE CHARGES FOR GROW OPERATION

Another grow operation in a family neighbourhood in Hope was busted
last week, and police are now focusing their efforts on bringing
charges against the property owner.

Police confiscated 865 marijuana plants from the basement of a home in
the 700 block of Olson avenue, after the tenant gave police his
consent to search the home, Friday afternoon (Feb. 10).

The entire basement had been converted for growing dope, said lead
investigator Constable Kurt Bosnell. A power bypass was also
discovered leading police to call in BC Hydro to cut power to the home.

The tenant could be facing charges of production of a controlled
substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of
trafficking. Charges of theft of power are also being considered.

But police are also hoping to prove the property owner had "knowledge"
of the grow at the Olson avenue home, leading to possible charges of
production of a controlled substance under the criminal code.

Police were alerted to the grow operation through neighbourhood
concerns, discovering that the Olson avenue home was owned by the same
person as a home on Thacker avenue, which had recently been busted as
a grow operation.

"We are also looking at the owner rather than the guy just stuck there
(in the house) watering the plants."

The property owner is also facing fines and inspections under the
district's Grow-Op bylaw.