Pubdate: Sun, 20 Aug 2006
Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006, West Partners Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294
Author: Marshall Jones
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POWER THEFT PROVES SUCCESSFUL IN BUSTING GROWERS

Lake Country RCMP used a hydro warrant to move in  quickly on a local 
marijuana grow operation in an  underground bunker Thursday.

They removed 800 plants, many of which were in bud, as  well as cash 
and equipment while arresting three people  from the property on 
McCoubrey Road.

Sgt. Reg Burgess said police got a tip about the  possible marijuana 
grow operation. Under normal  circumstances that means police have to 
mount a lengthy  investigation before they can get a warrant to 
search a  home under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

As detailed in a previous story in the Capital News  show, police 
have found a way around that arduous  process by keying on the theft 
of power. Power  companies like Fortis and B.C. Hydro can confirm 
electricity theft allowing police to get a warrant for  theft.

Often hydro theft is linked to a marijuana grow  operation and if 
police happen to find a grow op  through the theft warrant, they can 
take down the grow  operation.

In this case, they found a rather extensive operation,  though not 
the first to use underground bunkers to grow  marijuana. Burgess said 
the entrance to the operation  was through a regular garden shed. You 
can walk several  steps down into the dug out pit that was reinforced 
with lumber and even some concrete. He said they even  had a winch 
set up to lower items into and bring items  out of the bunker.

Inside, they found the usual lights used to grow  hydroponic 
marijuana as well as pumps for filtration.  The intensive power 
needed for grow ops is why growers  try to bypass hydro meters.

B.C. Hydro and Fortis BC have even hired their own  power theft 
experts "mostly retired police  officers" to follow up tips. Once 
they confirm the  meter doesn't reflect power use on the line, they 
can  confirm the crime is being committed and call in police  to use 
the hydro theft warrant.

Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers is even working on an  agreement to 
allow the power theft experts to access  their tips.

Police investigate marijuana grow operations all year  round, but 
Burgess says with summer resources often  depleted due to holidays or 
extra duties, they have  other priorities above grow ops. But with 
summer coming  to a quick end, he says we can expect more action soon.

"We know there are still lots of grow ops throughout  the Okanagan," 
he said. "You can expect to see more in  the fall and winter."

The acreage was being rented at the time of the warrant  and the arrests.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom