'HELLO, DO YOU HAVE A GROW-OP'

We should know more about how to spot marijuana-growing operations and how
to report them, says one Abbotsford resident.

She wants to send a message after a fire in her neighbourhood damaged one
house and could have threatened other families who live nearby.

"We could have all been sleeping in our beds . . . it could have been
dangerous," Anyssa Helene said, referring to a fire that broke out just
before 8 p.m. Thursday. "Luckily, someone saw it."

Though Helene said she and some neighbours had suspected a growing
operation was taking place at the house, located in the 33900 block of
Kar-Lin Lane, she didn't know what to do.

"You can't go knock on their door and say, 'Hello, do you have a grow-op?'"
she said. "I just think we should know what to do without facing any
repercussions [from drug growers]."

Abbotsford police Const. Casey Vinet, who confirmed a marijuana-growing
operation was found at the house when the fire was reported, said police
welcome any suspicions Abbotsford residents may have related to
drug-growing operations.

"Absolutely, if you or members of your family have any suspicions, call the
police," Vinet said. "It can send a message. If [a drug grower] knows it's
a neighbourhood that keeps an eye out for these kinds of things, they won't
grow there."

Vinet said one 30-year-old Abbotsford man faces charges in relation to the
206-plant growing operation.

As well, there are common indicators of drug grow operations that people
can look for, Vinet said, available through city and police pamphlets, and
online at www.abbotsfordpolice.org.

For example, growers will often use rental properties, Vinet said, and the
windows are usually covered with heavy curtains or black plastic.

There may be a skunk-like smell in the air, or sometimes, growers use
mothballs and air fresheners to try to mask the smell of marijuana.

Visitors who keep irregular hours, unkempt yards, no garbage put out on
garbage day and equipment such as wiring, plastic piping, garden soil,
nutrient containers and pots - all of these could point to such an
operation, he said.

"It's no secret that marijuana grow-ops are an extremely lucrative
business," Vinet said. "Suspicious activity can always be reported to police."

The public can also make anonymous calls to Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-8477 or Abbotsford police at 604-859-5225.