Pubdate: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Vancouver Courier Contact: http://www.vancourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474 Author: Mike Howell FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT GROW-OP CLEANUP FEES In just six months, the city has issued almost $157,000 in penalties to landlords whose houses and buildings contained marijuana growing operations. But only two of the property owners have complained. Carlene Robbins, manager of the city's bylaw administration branch, said the police Growbusters unit busted 92 drug operations since June, which led to each landlord receiving a $1,700 penalty. "We've had two complaints, including one person at the counter [at city hall] who was kind of going ballistic about this whole idea, but other than that, I haven't heard anything," Robbins said. "I'm not sure what to read into that. In some cases, if they were involved with the grow-op, then they're not saying anything. If they were innocent, I'm not sure why more people aren't complaining?" Added Robbins: "I guess they're just accepting it. I'm quite surprised, I did expect much more of a reaction than I've gotten so far." The $1,700 penalty became law in June to help the city recoup costs of busting a grow-op or drug lab. The $1,700 charge is the estimated cost for police, firefighters and city inspectors to dismantle a drug operation. Council also gave Robbins' department authority to charge landlords for cleanup costs associated with clandestine drug labs. A police bust of a crystal methamphetamine lab at a warehouse in the 700-block Terminal in November cost $2,658 to clean up. Add that amount to the $1,700 penalty, and then factor in the $1,400 a landlord must pay the city in inspection and permit fees to allow a former drug house to be occupied again, and it could cost the landlord almost $6,000 for a grow-op or drug lab on their property. Robbins noted that cost doesn't include the expense of repairing the property from grow-op damage, which is a big financial hit for the innocent landlord who thought he was renting to a credible tenant. Whether the landlord in the drug lab case will want to pay the costs to have the warehouse re-occupied is unknown, but Robbins noted the $1,700 penalty and the $2,658 clean-up tab are automatically added to the landlord's tax notice. When police bust a drug lab, the city immediately sends a notice to the landlord explaining his property was being used for drug production. The penalty then shows up on the tax notices issued in February and July. Although the police Growbusters unit busted 92 grow-ops, police from other sections also busted a number of indoor marijuana farms. On average, police eliminate several hundred marijuana grow-ops a year in Vancouver. Robbins, however, noted police aren't getting as many complaints from the public about grow-ops. Public education and ongoing enforcement could be reasons, she said. "We're not sure if it's because [operators] are more sophisticated and hiding them better, or that there has been a decline in the number. But we still believe there's a lot out there." Vancouver police media liaison Sarah Bloor said the department dismantled 224 grow-ops in 2004, 378 in 2003 and 351 in 2002. A pound of marijuana fetches $2,500 to $3,000 on the street, with its value increasing the further south of the border that it's sold. Mayor Larry Campbell believes marijuana should be legalized while Police Chief Jamie Graham calls it a "gateway" drug to other drugs such as cocaine and heroin. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth