DRUG HOUSE FORFEITED TO CROWN, VALUED AT MORE THAN $700,000

RCMP Say It Is Most Expensive Home Yet Seized

A Surrey drug house worth $723,000 has been forfeited to the state,
making it the most expensive one yet.

Surrey RCMP, invoking provisions of the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act, have secured a judgment for the forfeiture of the
house at 16523 77A Ave., which was the focus of a marijuana grow-op
investigation.

"This is significant in that this is the most expensive single-family
dwelling Surrey RCMP have had forfeit since the drug section started
targeting grow houses for forfeiture in 2002," Surrey RCMP Sgt. Roger
Morrow said.

The house is located in Fleetwood on a ridge overlooking the Northview
Golf Course.

In February last year the Surrey Drug Section (Marijuana Enforcement
Team) searched the place following a complaint on electricity theft
from BC Hydro.

The search revealed a large, sophisticated marijuana grow operation in
the basement containing 1,040 plants worth up to $300,000.

The owner, Thi Thao Bui, her son Minh Tuan Pham and Tai Lim Luc were
charged with growing and possession of marijuana for the purpose of
trafficking, as well as theft of electricity.

Tai Lim Luc pleaded guilty plea to the offence of growing marijuana,
contrary to Section 7(1) of the CDSA, before Judge Bowden in Surrey
provincial court. Charges against the other two were stayed.

The property was forfeited to Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
as offence-related property pursuant to section 16 of the CDSA.

Surrey RCMP currently has two Mounties dedicated to this type of
enforcement.

"For those individuals that seek to profit from this type of criminal
activity (marijuana grow-ops) they should be aware that police are
actively seeking these types of forfeitures," Morrow said.