74-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED AT GROW OP

An RCMP grow operation bust on the Westwood Plateau in Coquitlam yielded
one surprising suspect - a 74-year-old woman.

While executing a search warrant at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 1500 block of
Tanglewood Lane, the Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) arrested a
44-year-old man and the woman.

Cpl. Jane Baptista told The NOW the arrest was unusual because of the
woman's age, but that she is a suspect.

"She was definitely a part of it," Baptista said, adding that the
relationship between the two suspects was unclear.

She said investigators believe the pair was living in the residence on a
part-time basis while using the basement of the home to grow a large number
of pot plants.

MET officers seized 587 plants in the raid, which surprised neighbours who
told investigators the pair had moved into the house only a few months ago.

The raid was the third in the neighbourhood this month.

On Oct. 6, MET arrested a 28-year-old woman for trafficking in a controlled
substance. The house, in the 2900 block of Woodsia Place, was set up solely
for use as a grow operation, according to police. MET officers took away
488 plants.

In another raid the next day - a block away in the 2800 block of Woodsia -
police came across 459 plants. Nobody was arrested as the heavily damaged
house was empty when police arrived.

When asked what kind of impact the MET team is having in Coquitlam and Port
Coquitlam, Baptista said there is a definite change in how the RCMP is
handling grow operations.

"I think we have a more consistent approach to doing things," Baptista said.