FORMER LACROSSE STAR ARRESTED FOR GROW OP

A former all-star New Westminster Salmonbellie has been arrested
after police found a marijuana grow operation in his North Delta home
last week.

The 44-year-old man, who can't be named because he hasn't been
charged, was a Western Lacrosse Association all-star for three years
during his career as a men's senior A box lacrosse player.

He played with the Salmonbellies for seven full seasons in the 1990s.

Charges are expected by the end of the week, although police hadn't
submitted their report to Crown counsel as of Monday afternoon.

Delta police had received information about the grow operation,
spokesperson Const. Sharlene Brooks said in a press release.

After some more investigation, they got a search warrant for the home
in the 9100 block of 112th Street and went in early Thursday afternoon.

Inside the home, officers found 380 marijuana plants that had an
approximate street value of $137,000, according to Brooks. They also
seized high-powered lights and fans that are used when growing
marijuana and worth about $7,000.

The house is in a quiet neighbourhood, across the street from Delta's
Annieville Elementary School, a particular concern for police because
it put the children - as well as residents in surrounding homes - at
risk in case there was a fire or someone tried to rob or steal from the grow.

"These things cause significant risk to our Delta firefighters, Delta
police and other emergency services personnel," Brooks said.

The man who lives in the house had been arrested earlier and held
while the drug section officers searched his home.

He was released from custody on a promise to appear in court later on.

The investigation is continuing and police are recommending charges
of production of a controlled substance and possession of a
controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Although police haven't commented either way on what the man does for
a living, other sources have said he's a Vancouver firefighter and is
married with three children.

The Vancouver Fire Department heard about the arrest and grow
operation when contacted by a reporter from the Delta Optimist, The
Record's sister newspaper.

Apparently it came as a shock.

It's our job to break these things down," public affairs officer Rob
Jones-Cook told the Optimist.

Until he had more information, Jones-Cook wasn't commenting on the
specific case, but he did say it wouldn't be treated lightly.

"Should this be a true situation, appropriate action would be taken
at that time," he said.

"We as a fire department expect all of our employees to demonstrate
good judgment, honesty and personal integrity at all times."

If it was true, it would be "very disappointing," Jones-Cook added.

The Vancouver fire department assigns two fire prevention officers to
the Vancouver Police Department's grow busters team, accompanying
police officers when they are dismantling marijuana grow-ops.