GROW-OPS KEEP POLICE BUSY

Neighbours of a Grebe Crescent home weren't too surprised when police
officers arrived at a home and seized pot from a grow operation.

Mission Mounties went to the home in the early morning hours of Tuesday,
and found six kilograms of recently harvested cannabis inside the home and
hidden outside. "I don't know if it's under a bush or under a truck or
car," said Staff Sgt. Jack Robinson of the marijuana outside.

Officers also found about 50 plants.

"Mission RCMP members at the scene were speaking with some of the
neighbours while they were at the residence, and they were not surprised by
the seizure," said Corp. Murray Hedderson.

There are no charges expected at this point and officers are still
investigating.

* Abbotsford Police are raising concerns about children being put at risk
by living in homes with marijuana grow operations.

Last Friday afternoon, Abbotsford Police drug squad members executed a
warrant in the 34100-block of Hazel Street.

Inside the home at the time was a man and a six-month-old child, along with
the grow operation powered by a hydro bypass.

"Historically, bypasses are unstable and a fire hazard," said Const.
Shinder Kirk, adding small children are more at risk of injury than adults
if a fire were to take place.

The grow operation was small, with 138 plants, although it "was extremely
sophisticated in terms of water, ventilation and general construction,"
said Kirk.

Officers also found two very realistic looking pellet guns. One man faces
drug charges.