Pubdate: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2001, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Darrell Bellaart 'DOZERS TAKE ON GROW OPS Crimefighters have a new weapon in their arsenal against marijuana grow operations. It's called a bulldozer. Nanaimo city council issued a demolition order this week against Westside Estates Ltd., owner of property at 2518 Rosstown Rd., where RCMP found an illegal grow op last month. The Victoria-based company has 30 days to make the house safe - or the city can bulldoze it. RCMP estimate there are between 100 and 300 active grow ops in Nanaimo at any given time, and they hope getting tough with landlords will give new ammunition in the war on drugs. RCMP recently brought city inspectors and public health authorities on a tour of the Rosstown Road property, where they saw supporting walls torn out to maximize growing space, and electrical wiring tampered with. "It's now compromised the structural integrity of the building," says Toby Seward, manager of the city permits division. Moisture from the plants spawned mold - a potential for health problems, Seward adds. Police jurisdiction only covers criminal law. But New Westminster city council recently introduced bylaws to encourage police to work together with city bylaw staff and health officials to stamp out grow ops. RCMP will travel to New Westminster soon to find out more. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth