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News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Drug Crack Down Since November
Title:CN BC: Drug Crack Down Since November
Published On:2002-05-02
Source:Valley Voice, The (CN BC)
Fetched On:2008-01-23 10:33:53
DRUG CRACK DOWN SINCE NOVEMBER

Since November last year, in an effort to crack down on drug offences,
Nelson RCMP have executed numerous search warrants in the area.

Ricardo Ferri was charged with theft of hydro over $5,000 and mischief over
$5,000. William Jason Anderson was charged with production of marijuana.
Mikhail Reid and Robert Hoddinott were charged with production of marijuana
and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Ken Gravenor was convicted
of possession of marijuana, fined $500 and forfeited $3,225.

A search warrant for production of marijuana and possession for the purpose
of trafficking was executed near Taghum; charges are pending.

During a one-week blitz in April, five warrants resulted in five houses
being searched, and charges are pending against a number of individuals for
production and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

A total of 3,000 plants have been seized since November. Sgt. Jim Reaburn
says these could have produced an average of 419 kilograms of pot, or "more
than 2.1 million marijuana cigarettes.

"Some residents may feel that growing marihuana is harmless but just within
April 2002, files have been generated that show the other oide of growing
marihuana. Marihuana producers hve been throwing waste alongside roads,
highways, residential areas. Creeks have been blocked to supply water for
operations, large amounts of fertilizers have entered into the earth and
later trickle into the water ecosystem, waste has been burned into the
atmosphere. Marihuana grow operations also waste extensive amounts of
electricity that are needed to run lights, fans, etc. Precious hydro
resources are depleted that could have been conserved and used by future
generations."

Police say they will continue to execute search warrants to help reduce the
crimes associated with drug offences, such as home invasions which have
occurred recently. They add that organized crime has been associated with
some of the grow ops, posing threats to the security of individuals in the
Nelson area.

Most of the grow ops were in rental properties, which had been damaged by
the operation; one home had more than $40,000 in damage. Insurance
companies may not pay for these or might impose a $10,000 deductible,
police say.

The RCMP are asking residents to report suspicious activities, either by
calling them directly or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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