STEALTHY GROWERS

Marijuana Houses Hiding The Clues

MARIJUANA GROW-OPS are becoming so sophisticated that police are having
trouble getting grounds for search warrants, says a York region drug
officer. "They are masking their signs better," said Sgt. Don Cardwell,
with the York police drug unit.

In the past, there were more obvious signs a house was being used as a
grow-op. They included drapes always being drawn, people coming and going
at unusual hours, mail not being picked up and the property being unkempt.

"They have learned to read our warrants and adapted their operations, which
makes things more time-consuming," Cardwell said.

"They have started having families live in the grow-ops and use carbon
filters to hide the smell."

Many grow-ops have started paying for the electricity needed for the
operation through the meters and Hydro's level of interest in grow-ops has
declined, Cardwell said.

"(Hydro) will still give us information, but they aren't pursuing it like
when (grow-ops) were stealing," he said.

Firefighters and police officers can be at risk from explosives, trip-wired
firearms and false floors in marijuana grow-ops.