GROW-OP RUINS HOUSE

A View Royal house all wired up and ready to grow will cost thousands of
dollars to repair.

Police executed a search warrant Jan. 22 about 10 p.m. at a rented house in
the area of Island Highway and Stormont Road, West Shore RCMP Cpl. Brian
Kerr said.

"There were holes cut in the walls, the floors and the stairs for venting,"
Kerr said. "The damage was quite extensive."

Kerr said they called in BC Hydro to cut power to the house because the
wiring was in such poor shape.

Kerr said they arrested two men leaving the property.

Police seized 150 to 200 marijuana plants and a large amount of equipment.

"No one lived at the house," Kerr said. "They had a timer set so the T.V.
would come on to make it look like someone was living there."

The two men were charged with possession of a controlled substance, and
possession for the purpose of trafficking.

They were released, and are scheduled to appear in Western Communities
provincial court in April 27.

"People renting a house better be careful," Kerr said. "We're seeing more
and more grow operations in rented houses."