POLICE BUST FIVE GROW-OPS

City Police and RCMP Complete Seven-Day Operation Targeting Marijuana
Cultivation

Five local residents will be in court next month facing marijuana
cultivation charges after Nelson City Police and Mounties searched
several homes over the course of the week.

The searches resulted in the seizures of a total of 587 marijuana
plants worth an estimated $234,000, plus an additional $9,000 in dry
bud.

According to Nelson City Police Sgt. Steve Bank, of the General
Investigation Section, the grow shows they uncovered when they
executed five search warrants on residences located in Nelson, Harrop
and Bonnington were of an average size.

"A typical size grow for us that we see, at least in the city here,
are 100 to 150 plants," said Bank.

Police also seized a large quantity of marijuana growing equipment
including air conditioners, heaters, and numerous charcoal filters -
to reduce the marijuana odor in the buildings - lights, irrigation
equipment, fans and other items.

Some homes that were raided had their power disconnected due to the
unsafe condition of their electrical systems. These premises will
have to have their electrical systems repaired and inspected prior to
having power restored.

A small child was also inside one of the homes that contained a grow
show. Police subsequently notified the Ministry of Children and Families.

"Some people argue that it puts a child at risk," said Bank. "Our
obligation of course is to make [the ministry] aware and then the ball
is in their court to deal with it in whatever way they find is
appropriate."

The sergeant told the Daily News there is so many grow operations in
the Nelson area that police officers can't keep up with them all.

"We're aware of a lot of them around," admitted Bank. "We are aware
of them but can't get to them due to manpower and resource
restrictions. Hopefully with these types of initiatives we'll get to
them."

Police didn't conduct an extensive investigation leading up to the
busts but rather started from ground zero from the get-go. With that
said, however, many of the grows they became aware of were through
spinoffs from information they've received through other
investigations.

"Some are tips from the public or tips from Crime Stoppers," Bank
added.

In fact, police are continuing to ask the public to remain vigilant
and report to police when they suspect grow operations are in their
neighbourhood.

"They can remain totally anonymous if they wish," he said. "I'd say
that the majority of our investigations come as a result of tips from
the public and I would like to think that most members of the public
wouldn't want this type of thing going on in their community due to
the hazards that it poses."

As a result of the warrants executed over the course of the week, four
males and one female will face charges under the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act for Production of a Substance for the Purpose of
Trafficking. All are local residents. They are set to appear in
Nelson Provincial Court on January 11.