EIGHT CHARGED WITH POT GROW 'RIPS'

Surrey RCMP have broken up a gang of "grow op rippers" responsible for
as many as four break-ins a night.

Investigators say the crooks would case houses, looking at electrical
meters, listening for the sound of exhaust fans, and smelling the air
for the odour of growing marijuana.

Based on a tip, officers from the Surrey RCMP Serious Crimes and Drug
Section had five suspects under surveillance as they checked out
houses in the Newton area Thursday night.

The Mounties moved in when the suspects broke into two homes located
side-by-side in the 6700 block of 150 St.

The investigation continued through the weekend and a total of 11 men
aged 17 to 22 were arrested.

Charges were approved against eight of the men.

Police say some criminals are making a career of ripping off pot grow
ops, an activity that can be hazardous to innocent people when the
crooks hit the wrong locations. In a recent 48-hour period in Surrey,
three of four break-ins by "rippers" were at homes with no grow ops.