MARIJUANA: POT BUSTING PROJECT COULD GROW

A Plan to Target Grow-Ops in Surrey Is Being Welcomed by Langley's MP,
and Eyed by Township Council.

A pilot project in Surrey that aims to pull the plug on pot grow ops
is being applauded by Langley MP Mark Warawa.

And Langley Township Council might ask for the same action
here.

Solicitor General and Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman
unveiled a project on Thursday, to be tested in Surrey, which will
allow authorities to cut electrical power to houses suspected of being
marijuana grow operations.

"Grow ops are increasing in size and sophistication right across
B.C.," Coleman said. "We need to tackle this problem from every angle,
to ensure that police and other authorities have the tools they need
to protect the public. This will send a message to criminals that grow
ops will not be tolerated and we'll find all kinds of ways to shut
them down."

Coleman told the Langley Advance News chances are "pretty good," the
program will be expanded to Langley and across the province, "if it
works."

A team of firefighters, police, and electrical inspectors will
investigate suspicious homes with unusually high power consumption. If
the residence is found to be a hazard or an inspection is not
permitted, power will be shut off.

Warawa criticized BC Hydro last week for not being pro-active in
assisting law enforcement efforts to shut down grow-ops. He pointed to
a recent incident in Coquitlam where 28 marijuana grow-operations were
busted in one townhouse complex.

"This is exactly the type of cooperation I was calling for earlier
this week, and it shows that BC Hydro does have some discretion to
act," Warawa said of the pilot project. "I am very glad that producers
of electricity will be part of the solution, as is necessary."

Grow ops were also on Township Council's Monday agenda.

The Township's Community Safety Commission has recommended that the
Township ask the province to work with BC Hydro to flag "unusual
energy bills as representing possible grow op situations" and to
notify law enforcement.

The Commission also recommended that Township staff review local
hydroponic supply stores and recommend actions similar to those
contained in pawn shop bylaws "so that possible suspicious activity
may be reported." Council's decision was unavailable before press time.

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AT A GLANCE:

TOWNHALL MEETING ON POT

hosted by Langley MP Mark Warawa.

On Wednesday, March 30, 7-9 p.m., decriminalization of marijuana and
eliminating grow ops in Langley will be discussed at Newlands Golf
Club, 21025 - 48th Ave.

Panelists will include Solicitor General and Fort Langley-Aldergrove
MLA Rich Coleman, criminologist Dr. Darryl Plecas, representatives
from the RCMP Drug Enforcement Team, the fire department, BC Hydro and
a health representative.