FIREFIGHTER ARRESTED AFTER POLICE RAID GROW-OP

A Vancouver firefighter was arrested Thursday for operating a
marijuana grow-op at his North Delta home, the Optimist has learned.

Considered a mid-sized operation, Delta police seized 380 plants with
a street value of $140,000.

Const. Sharlene Brooks neither confirmed nor denied what the
44-year-old man did for a living, but the Optimist was able to confirm
through reliable sources and nearby residents that the man arrested
Thursday morning is a Vancouver firefighter.

Brooks said police are unable to identify the individual because
charges have not yet been laid. That is expected to happen sometime
next week, at which time police will be able to release the suspect's
name.

Police confirmed officers detained the man for several hours as they
conducted a raid on his home. The suspect was eventually released from
custody on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

It is believed the firefighter was stopped at the side of the road
near his home by an unmarked police vehicle and taken into custody
earlier that morning. A few hours later, members of Delta's drug
section descended on the home to execute the warrant.

The suspect is married with three children, the Optimist has been
told.

Police confirmed officers executed a warrant at 1:20 p.m. at a home in
the 9200-block of 112th Street, across from Annieville elementary.

The warrant was executed in the quiet neighbourhood as residents,
passing motorists and pedestrians looked on. A regular practice,
police placed a sandwich board on the front lawn alerting the public
officers were in the process of breaking down a marijuana grow-op.

Officers hauled out marijuana plants, fans and high-powered lights,
the latter worth an estimated $7,000, according to police.

It is believed the grow operation was housed in the basement of the
home.

News of the arrest came as a shock to the Vancouver fire
department.

"It's our job to break these things down," said a surprised public
affairs officer Rob Jones-Cook.

He said the department could not comment specifically on the case
because it had not been made aware of the situation. The first time
senior officers heard about it was when the Optimist called yesterday
morning asking for a statement.

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

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

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

Ironically, the Vancouver fire department assigns two of its fire
prevention officers to the Vancouver police department's Grow Busters
Team. The fire prevention officers accompany police officers when they
are taking down marijuana grow-ops.

"Marijuana grow operations are being found in multi-residential
occupancies, including high rises, and the team has shut down as many
as five marijuana grow operations per day. This program has proven to
be a valid contribution to our concern for life safety, due to the
hazards involved with grow-operations," the department's 2006 annual
report to city council stated.

Delta police expressed concern the grow-op was being conducted across
the street from an elementary school.

"This operation was in a residence very close to an elementary school,
placing surrounding residents and children at risk of harm in the
event of a fire or a grow-rip situation," Brooks said.

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

She pointed to a fire that occurred as a result of an indoor marijuana
grow-op just two weeks ago in North Delta.

Two neighbouring homes under construction were also burned to the
ground in that incident in the 11200-block of 87A Avenue, causing in
excess of $700,000 damage.

"The fire department has concurred that the fire originated in an
electrical component that was used to cultivate a large marijuana
grow-op," Brooks said.

No one was injured in that fire.

Police are recommending charges of production of a controlled
substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled
substance.

Brooks said the investigation is continuing.