RCMP - RESIDENTS LEAD POLICE TO 500-PLANT GROW-OP

Tips from the community led to the shut-down of a home used to produce
drugs in Walnut Grove.

A Walnut Grove neighborhood banded together to shut down a 500-plant
marijuana grow-op in their area.

The Langley RCMP Green Team obtained a search warrant for a home at
##### - 88B Ave. after receiving tips from the community.

Police went into the home around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22, and
found more than 500 pot plants.

Two men from Burnaby, aged 41 and 37, were arrested.

Police are recommended charges of cultivation of a controlled
substance and theft of hydro.

Langley RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dale Carr said he was glad residents came
forward with the information, as the production of pot can lead to the
production of other harmful drugs.

"This is an example of the community working together with police to
take back their neighborhood and not allow organized crime to move in
and make a profit with the unlawful trade of marijuana for cocaine,
which clearly makes its way to the streets in the form of crack," he
said.

"Studies show that crack and methamphetamine-addicted males are
responsible for the greatest percentage of vehicle thefts and break
and enters in order to fuel their addiction," Carr added.

After the bust, BC Hydro was called in to deal with bypassed Hydro in
the home, and Terasen Gas was needed to fix altered natural gas lines.

It appears the suspects were using the gas lines to create carbon
dioxide to aid in the pot plants' growth.

The house had a "Do not occupy" order placed on it, Carr said, under
Langley Township's Property Maintenance Bylaw.