POT BUST SETS RECORD

Police Seize Marijuana Worth An Estimated $3 Million From Barn On Ladner's
46A St.

Police busted the largest marijuana grow operation in Delta's history at a
barn in Ladner this week.

Officers from Delta's drug unit executed a warrant at a barn in the
4000-block of 46A Street Wednesday afternoon, where they found 2,500 pot
plants worth an estimated $3 million on the street.

"It would be enough to supply 5,000 Delta youth for 27 years," noted media
liaison officer Const. Sharlene Brooks.

The operation at a well-kept barn in west Ladner was as sophisticated as
the drug unit has seen, according to officers involved in the
investigation. A major investment went into the illicit venture, including
two $30,000 diesel generators to power lights and heat. In total, drug
officers carted away $150,000 worth of equipment related to the operation.

Brooks said the crop was about three weeks away from being harvested.

"Some people say marijuana isn't that bad, but what they should understand
is that the common link to these grow-ops is organized crime," explained
Brooks.

The marijuana is exported across the border in return for guns and cocaine
coming into Canada, said Brooks, speaking about grow operations in general.

"This is excellent work by our police officers and we're so fortunate that
they work so hard for us," said Mayor Lois Jackson, who has championed a
zero-tolerance policy against indoor grow-ops since taking office three
years ago.

"We've encouraged this kind of work because of the many situations we had
in North Delta. It's just not something we're going to tolerate anywhere in
Delta," Jackson said. "It was an awesome strike."

The barn, confirmed by people who live in the area, is rented. It's been
around for many years and was once owned by an old Ladner farm family.

Arrests are pending.