POT OPERATION SHUT DOWN

The quiet of the new year has proven unfortunate for area criminals as the
100 Mile RCMP continues to bust marijuana grow operations. After seizing
over 900 plants from three operations Jan. 17, the detachment discovered a
1,500 plant operation at a rental property on Lower Housman Road Jan. 22.

"(The RCMP) executed a search warrant in regard to hydro diversion that BC
Hydro had informed us of," Const. Diana Racine explained.

During the execution of the electricity-based warrant, the officers found
evidence of a grow operation and went for a second warrant related to it.

The end result was the seizure of 1,588 plants at various stages of
maturity from a basement and barn as a handful of members spent an entire
day dismantling the operation, bagging up the organic material and loading
the grow equipment. Seized material, after documentation, is destroyed.

The evidence tells the police that this was a well-established operation
with some age behind it.

"There were mature and new plants," Racine commented "I would consider this
definitely a significant grow."

No one was present at the property when the warrants were executed, but
charges are pending and the investigation continues to find those
responsible. Racine explained that charges for such a substantial operation
normally include production of marijuana and possession for the purposes of
trafficking. Both charges are under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act
(CDSA). The growers could also face Criminal Code of Canada charges for the
theft of electricity.

The work involved in investigating a grow and removing evidence opens
members up to very specific dangers.

"Marijuana plants are very fragile," she said. "And very susceptible to
pests. Consequently, the grows use all sorts of pesticides."

In addition, members dismantling grow ops must also protect themselves from
exposure to other toxins. Grow ops rely on heavy use of fertilizer. But the
threat isn't just chemical.

"For us one of the biggest hazards is the threat of electrical shock," she
said.

The diverted electricity, because it's normally done by amateurs, is a
threat to growers and the police.

Racine explained that there isn't a special campaign on right now to shut
down grow operations, even through there has been a spate of seizures in
recent days. Because this is a quieter time of year for other sorts of
crime and emergencies, it frees up the RCMP to devote more resources than
normal to drug offenses. Another factor is the mix of skills of the local
members.

"We probably take more grows down than the average detachment because we
have officers with the training," she added.