Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 Source: Ladysmith-Chemanius Chronicle (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 BC Newspaper Group & New Media Contact: http://www.ladysmithchronicle.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1279 Author: Jolene Alberg Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) POLICE GET TOUGH ON GROW OPS It might not be a substantial dent, but it's a dent nonetheless, say local RCMP about a series of grow operation busts in North Cowichan, Duncan and outlying areas. North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP participated in an integrated task force involving eight members from local detachments, Highway Patrol, the West Coast Marine Detachment and the Organized Crime Agency out of Victoria. The results of the month-long operation included seizure if 3,067 plants, 187 high power grow lights and paraphernalia, a vehicle and about $15,000 in cash. "We made a dent," explained Sgt. Derek Crawford, of the North Cowichan/Duncan detachment. "I don't know if I would go as far as saying that we made a substantial dent (in shutting down grow operations)." Crawford explained that while there would likely be a temporary slow down in grow operations or temporary relocation of the grow ops, it is unlikely the busts would have a profound effect on pot production in the Cowichan Valley. "It's a lucrative business," Crawford said. The operation focused mainly on shutting down known grow-ops. The organization of the month-long operation involved creative scheduling and pooling of resources. "We didn't have a goal in terms of numbers," Crawford explained. "We were initially going after known locations, but found that as we started to look into information about one, we would find out more information about others." As a result of the operation, charges of production of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking are expected against a total of 34 adults. Of the 34 adults, 23 were adult males and 11 were adult females. In the Ladysmith area, numbers of grow-op busts also appear to be on the rise. In the year 2000, there were a total of 11 residences searched and drugs located. Charges were laid in five of the 11 incidents. So far in 2001, three searches have been executed and charges laid on each occasion. According to Ladysmith RCMP Staff Sgt. Charlie Schaal, the increase in charges and searches can be attributed to good policing, dedicated members and creative use of resources. The Ladysmith detachment has created an internal team in which members take on special grow-op projects, in addition to maintaining other police work. "We're using some creative scheduling," Schaal said. "Members who are interested have been using overtime resources from the province and the municipality." Last fall, the local RCMP started a concentrated effort to let local neighbourhood residents know what to look for when spotting grow ops. Since then, Schaal said the detachment has received more and better information from the public, which means it's more likely neighbourhoods will see police taking action more often. - --- MAP posted-by: GD