GROW-OP FIGURES HIGH

Crackdown by Delta Police Leads to Largest Increase in Province

A jump of 1,293 per cent in marijuana grow operations over four years in
Delta may seem like a lot, but police say that number is confirmation of
the success of Operation Bud Out.

"We're using it as a success story, if you will," said Delta police
spokesperson Const. Sharlene Brooks. "If you're not investigating, it looks
like there's no problem."

A report released this week by the University College of Fraser Valley
found Delta to have the largest increase in grow-op cases in the province
in 2000. The number of grow-ops that year was listed at 209, which was 75
per cent higher than the provincial average.

On the other hand, the report also found Delta had the highest increase in
the number of cases with identified suspects, a jump of 590 per cent.

The numbers were gathered from almost 12,000 grow-op investigations
province-wide between 1997 and 2000.

Brooks said Delta statistics have been high in the last couple of years
because police are cracking down on grow-ops.

Operation Bud Out was initiated in January of 2000 after a sharp rise in
grow operations in 1999. That year saw 95 busts, compared to approximately
35 the year before. The operation was also a response to a number of
community safety issues such as home invasions, drive by shootings and
fires triggered by unkempt grow-ops.

Bud Out allotted 12 officers to tackle the problem, which was previously
handled by just two officers. Partnerships were also made with the
Residential Tenancy branch, the fire department, community planning and the
Crown counsel's office to educate the public on how to spot grow-ops.
Public meetings were held and some 28,000 information packages were handed out.

In the first four months, the operation seized $8.6 million worth of drugs
and equipment, executed 62 search warrants and arrested 75 people.

Brooks said the number of grow-ops in Delta has been reduced dramatically,
to the point where police are now keeping an eye on between 20 and 25
suspicious locations.

"At this point, we've got a very good handle on things," she said. "We've
done a fabulous job and couldn't have done it without the community's help
and the support of our partners."

The university report noted the majority of the suspects were found to be
Caucasian males in their mid-30s, with an average 13-year criminal history.