EMERGENCY TEAM DEPLOYED TWICE IN ONE WEEK HELP STAMP OUT GROW-OPS

The Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) was deployed in
Esquimalt twice in a seven-day period earlier this month.

During the early morning hours of April 9, members of the west division's
targeted unit with the assistance of GVERT executed a search warrant for
drugs on an apartment at 600 Head Street. A 50-year-old Esquimalt resident
with an extensive criminal history was arrested and charged with
cultivation of marijuana. Investigators found a significant-sized marijuana
grow operation which was within weeks of harvest. Approximately 13
kilograms of marijuana was seized, with an estimated value of approximately
$90,000. A police expert was brought in to dismantle the
electrical/lighting system.

During the late afternoon on April 14, GVERT attended to a residence near
the intersection of Ellery and Lampson Street to assist the Saanich Police
Department, where a 27-year-old parolee was hold up in the residence with
his sister and her two children. After the GVERT had contained the
residence, the suspect male surrendered to the police without incident.

The Victoria Police are asking for the assistance of the public in
identifying a male suspect who exposed himself to two young teenage girls
Thursday, April 15 at approximately 8:30 a.m. as the girls walked to school
along the railway tracks between Hereward and Viewfield. The suspect is
described as a Caucasian male, 35-40 years, 6', slim build, short brown
hair, unshaven, wearing black jeans, black baseball cap (worn backwards),
and carrying a black or green jacket draped over his arm. The suspect had a
very distinct peach-coloured cast on his left hand. Anyone having any
information pertaining to the identity of this individual is requested to
call the Victoria Police or Crimestoppers.

The majority of marijuana grow operations are located in residential areas
right across Canada. Their altered construction pose a fire and safety
hazard not only to the residence where they are found, but also to the
surrounding neighbourhoods. Diverting electricity and tampering with the
electrical wiring within a residence can lead to house fires and some
serious consequences.

Rental homes are often used for marijuana grow operations. Structural walls
are altered, and quite frequently, the homes used for growing marijuana
collect molds and fungi because of the warmth and build-up of condensation
- - often resulting in unsafe living conditions.

The following are clues a possible marijuana growing operation:

* Homes look lived in, but few people are seen coming in and out of the home.

* The appearance that interior lights and electronics are coming on and off
with timers.

* Late night and/or very short visits by people.

* windows that are always covered, and show signs of condensation.

* Minimal garbage produced

* New neighbours arrive that never take furniture or groceries into the house.

* Unusual amounts of vehicle traffic (especially at night).

* Evidence of tampering with the electric meter or the ground around it.

* Pungent odour similar to skunk cabbage.

* Water lines and/or electrical cords running into the basement or garage.

* Individuals take items away in garbage bags.

If a resident suspects there is an indoor marijuana growing operation in
their neighbourhood, please contact the police or Crimestoppers.

The police department will follow up on these complaints, although it may
take a while to gather enough information to get a search warrant.