POLICE WARN OF POT RIP-OFF PERILS

Bandits broke into two homes Tuesday, choosing their targets, police
say, because they contained marijuana grow-ops.

Now Richmond RCMP are issuing a warning to would-be thieves that
breaking into these types of homes could have deadly
consequences.

On Tuesday, police responded to two break-in calls on the 7400 block
of No. 4 Road and the 10000 block of No. 2 Road. Inside they
discovered the remains of marijuana growing operations.

Richmond RCMP Const. Peter Thiessen said these types of homes are
secured in various ways, and it's not uncommon to find weapons,
including guns, inside. "Individuals attempting to break-in to these
locations may end up meeting an occupant inside who is there
protecting the crop," Thiessen said. "The potential for injury or even
death is quite high in these circumstances."

Grow-rips, as they are referred to by police, seem to be gaining in
popularity. There was a rash of them late last year, including one
case where a woman was severely beaten during a violent home-invasion
of a home on No. 2 Road that contained a small grow-op. This year,
local police have also responded to a number of break-ins of homes
growing pot.

Last week, enforcement efforts that are part of Operation Green Clean
resulted in two more arrests.

Police attended a warehouse complex on the 11700 block of River Road
to execute a search warrant at one suspected grow-op when they
discovered two others in separate units.

More than 2,000 plants were seized and two people were arrested and
could be facing charges that include production of a controlled
substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.