GROW-OP 'DANGEROUS' BUSINESS, SAYS RCMP

Residents of a Woodspring Place home allegedly involved a marijuana
grow operation discovered a major downside of the business when they
were attacked with bear spray during a break-in Sunday.

The two residents managed to fend off the spray-wielding suspect, but
everyone fled the scene when a neighbour called the police to the home
in the 46600-block Woodspring Place at about 12:30 p.m..

However, police officers did find evidence of a marijuana grow
operation at the scene, and after obtaining a search warrant found and
seized 762 marijuana plants.

The two male residents, aged 27 and 43, were located in their vehicle
a short distance away and now face charges of marijuana production.
They were released from custody pending court appearances.

"It is a dangerous business to be in," RCMP Const. Lea-Anne Dunlop
says about marijuana grow operations. "The RCMP will always respond
and attempt to insure the safety of all involved, but rest assured
that your own criminal activity will be processed to the full extent
of the law as well."

And if you're growing marijuana illegally at home, your residence can
also be the target of "grow-rip" break-ins by others looking for drugs.

"We'll never know the number of grow-rips we've never heard about,"
Dunlop says, because the victims obviously don't want the police involved.

A neighbour happened to see the break-in at the Woodspring Place home
in progress and called the police.

The case is still under investigation, and anyone with information is
asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP detachment at 604-792-4611 or
Crimestoppers in the Lower Mainland at 669-TIPS or outside the Lower
Mainland at 1-800-222 TIPS.