POLICE GIVE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SPOT INDOOR MARIJUANA CULTIVATION

Clearwater RCMP suspect that there are a large number of indoor
marijuana growing operations in the area.

They need the public's help in detecting them.

The following list of indicators to spot a "grow house" was produced
by the RCMP E Division Drug Awareness Service:

How to spot a "Grow House"

Covered windows: Windows are covered with black plastic, or blinds
are tightly shut to prevent any light from escaping.

Some cultivators put a small lamp inside a box behind the window to
disguise the covered windows.

Condensation: High humidity conditions in a grow room manifest
themselves through condensation on windows.

Smells and odors of growing marijuana: These can best be described as
rotting cabbage, or skunk-like odor, mixed with a sweet vegetative
smell. Moth balls, chlorine, manure, soap and air freshener are
frequently used to mask the smell.

Sounds of electrical humming, fans, trickling water.

Bright lights: High intensity 1,000 watt lamps are normally used for
indoor grow operations.

Localized power surges/browning.

Discarded equipment: Growers sometimes leave equipment laying around
the yard, such as nutrient containers, pots, wiring, soil, root
balls, aluminum shrouds, PVC piping, etc. On garbage day in the
neighborhood, the residence does not put out garbage.

"Beware of dogs" signs or guard dogs.

Rental accommodations: Almost all marijuana growers use rental
property (residential and commercial). That way they do not have to
alter their own property to accommodate a growing operation.

The high humidity levels in an indoor growing operation also cause a
lot of damage.

Landlords may notice that tenants pay their rent in cash, and while
having no known source of income, they may have expensive cars, cell
phones, pagers, etc.

These tenants are also reluctant to allow landlords to inspect their
rented property.

Landlords should have a detailed rental agreement in place and ensure
that the individual(s) renting the premises are those living there.

Unusual visitor behavior: Neighbors may note no visitors at all -
giving the appearance of seclusion - or frequent visitors for short
periods of time.

Visitors will often leave one person waiting in the car while another
enters the premises.

History of Premises: Many rental properties are known among the
criminal element as having been used before, and will repeatedly be
used in the future.

Other indicators:

Outdoor and/or indoor lights, radio and/or TV operating 24 hours per day;

Flyers left in the mailbox or on the ground at the front door;

Children's toys and bikes outside with no children seen at the residence;

Realty "For Sale" signs posted on the front lawn - these have been
used by growers to deflect attention by landlords, neighbors and
police.

Warning : Members of the public are asked not to put themselves in
any compromising position while obtaining information about marijuana
grow operations or other criminal activity.

Anyone having information about marijuana grow operations or any
other criminal activity is asked to please contact their local police.