Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jun 2009
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Laura Stone, Staff Writer

FAKE BARN DOORS LED NOWHERE -- SAVE TO POLICE

Police busted a grow-op in Barriere that, from the outside, looked as
if it housed horses, not 2,600 marijuana plants.

The "barn" was 12-metres wide and 30-m deep. It was made of plywood
and painted dark green. But it also had a fake set of large barn doors
that opened on to nothing but a wall.

Inside, crops were being grown on various levels. Police believe up to
5,000 plants at a time could have been grown there, estimated to be
enough to roll about half-a-million joints.

The crops were lit by 130 1,000-watt light bulbs, powered by a
generator and cooled by seven air conditioners.

"It was definitely a well-run, commercial operation, where the plants
were producing a high yield," RCMP Cpl. Chris Newel said yesterday of
Tuesday's takedown.

A 45-year-old man, who lived on the property, was arrested and
released. He may face charges of producing and trafficking in a
controlled substance. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr