CRIME: OFFICERS TARGET POT HOUSE

A New Home Suffered at Least $60,000 in Damages Due to a Pot-Growing Operation

A brand new home in a nice Langley neighbourhood concealed a large
marijuana grow operation, until it was raided Wednesday by the RCMP.

Drug section officers hauled 1,044 plants out of the home in the 7200
block of 196th St., along with grow equipment and paraphernalia.

The home wasn't the typical rental property that growers use. It had
been built just four months ago in a new development.

"They pretty much moved the grow in as soon as they bought the house,"
said RCMP Cpl. Diane Blain.

There were marijuana plants in rooms on the main and second floors and
in the basement.

The house was already heavily damaged by dampness from the grow
equipment.

"Probably at least $60,000 worth of damage," Blain said.

No one was at home when police arrived, and although investigators
have suspects, no arrests have yet been made.

Blain said the new home should serve as a warning to home buyers. No
matter how nice a building looks on the outside, if it has hosted a
grow op, it might contain many problems.

"A house inspector would pick up on that," Blain said, adding that
inspections are a wise precaution before purchasing a place in Langley.