Prince Rupert Grow Op Busted

Tuesday, October 05, 2010 02:36 PM

Prince Rupert, B.C.- A grow op on the coast had been busted.

North District Border Integrity Program, with assistance from Prince Rupert General Duty RCMP.officers, the Police Dog Unit and the Identification Unit, executed a search warrant at a residence on Crestview Drive in Prince Rupert on the weekend.

The search resulted in 670 marijuana plants being seized that have an estimated street value of $250,000. The search also revealed that a hydro bypass was being used in the residence.

A 52-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene and faces a variety of charges including ;Theft of Telecommunications, one count of Production of a Controlled Substance and one count of Production of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.

The accused will appear in court in December 2010. The accused does not have a history of drug related offences and is not known to Police.

The RCMP investigation started in August 2010 after receiving information from the public. “The public is our best resource in what is happening in their own neighborhoods. Information about suspicious activity, individuals and odd odors permeating from a residence can be enough to start an investigation into a possible grow-op or clandestine drug lab” states Sgt. Mike Fox of the North District Border Integrity Program.

Marijuana grow operations are extremely dangerous as they involve electricity, fertilizer, pesticides and water and sometimes attract other criminal activity which can put neighbors and neighborhoods at risk. “Covered windows, condensation, bright lights, beware of dogs or no trespass signs, odors of marijuana coming from the home, humming sounds from generators and other electrical equipment and items like halogen lights, fertilizer and pots left in the garbage or around the home may all be indicators of a possible grow-op” states Cst. Erin STEVENSON.

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