Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2001
Source: Burnaby Newsleader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Burnaby Newsleader
Address: 6569 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C., V5E 1E1
Fax: 604-438-9699
Website: http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/
Contact:  Michael McQuillan

BUSTING GROW OPS 'LIKE PULLING WEEDS'

One week after Burnaby RCMP's drug session wrapped up a major drug 
crackdown, the officer in charge says it's barely made a dent in the number 
of marijuana grow operations.

"It's like pulling weeds," said Sgt. Richard Marsh, with the street crimes 
and drug section. "You pull out one and two sprout up.

"If we had a full-time green team, we could easily keep them busy seven 
days a week, 24 hours a day."

Earlier this month, the drug section arrested 43 people after raiding 27 
grow operations located in rental homes. Police recovered more than 8,000 
marijuana plants totalling 2,125 pounds.

The busts were conducted over 12 working days between Feb. 27 and March 9. 
Police, working from a list of 100 suspected grow operations, obtained 
search warrants for 27 of those homes.

Marsh said the six-officer drug section was beefed up with officers from 
the bike squad and some neighbourhood liaison officers. Police were also 
supported by city building inspectors and technicians from B.C. Hydro.

"What we tried to do was target the bulk of the files that we had before on 
our list, plus we had some new files on some new grow ops that we had 
received," said Marsh.

"Some of the files were up to a year old."

Marsh couldn't say how many of the busted grow ops were run by gangs, but 
there was some indication that many of them were linked to organized crime.

Burnaby RCMP's crackdown and a recently enacted anti-grow op city bylaw is 
putting stress on Burnaby's building department. The new bylaw involves 
city building inspectors going into homes that have been used for the 
illegal operation. Building, plumbing, electrical and gas inspectors 
examine a home for damage.

If the home is unsafe and fails Burnaby's building code, it can not be 
legally occupied until the landlord brings it up to the regulations.

George Humphrey, the city's chief building inspector, said the department 
is inspecting an average of eight grow op homes a week.

"It's creating problems for us. More than I had anticipated," said Humphrey 
of the additional work.

He suspects the department is unable to do all of its other duties because 
of the increased workload, caused by inspecting grow ops.

A solution is needed, he said, and that may involve hiring more staff or 
contracting work out.

Humphrey said he would send a report to city council next month detailing 
the increased workload and the stress it's placed on his department.

Earlier this month, Burnaby RCMP began a letter-writing campaign to 
landlords suspected of owning homes used as grow ops. The letters advise 
them to carry out routine inspections, outlines the city bylaw and details 
the costs they will incur if a marijuana grow op is found.
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