POT LUCK

Latest Grow Op Bust Nets 2,700 Plants As Police Continue Crackdown

Is the Richmond RCMP crackdown on local marijuana grow-ops having an impact
on the underground industry?

It's still too early to tell, according to RCMP Const. Peter Thiessen.

But there's no doubt that marijuana grow ops are a top priority in Richmond
and that the city has a large marijuana problem.

This coming week, Thiessen said police will be unveiling a new strategy to
help deal with the drug problem.

"The public, to my knowledge, regularly calls city hall to express their
concerns (about grow ops)," he said.

In the latest bust, Richmond RCMP took down a marijuana grow op Thursday at
a strata title warehouse complex at 165-6753 Graybar Rd.

According to a neighbouring worker, police knocked down the door to the
building with their weapons drawn.

Inside police discovered 2,700 marijuana plants. They later also seized a
vehicle and arrested two people, Thiessen said. Further details weren't
available at press time.

But it is evident that local police are keeping extremely busy judging by
the number of grow-op related search warrants at Richmond provincial court.

Of the 41 search warrants granted to police since June 7, 32 involved drugs
and specifically marijuana grow operations. Of the 75 search warrants
issued between Jan. 1 and June 7, 41 involved the production of controlled
substances.

Aside from the number of investigations, there continues to be other crimes
involving houses converted into B.C. bud greenhouses.

In a 12-day span last month, there were three break-ins related to
marijuana grow ops.