The Vancouver firefighter arrested for operating a marijuana grow-op out of his North Delta home last week has served as a coach with the Delta Lacrosse Association. The 44-year-old fire captain has coached several teams of high school students over the years, recently leading one to the provincial tournament. Delta police raided his home in the 9200-block of 112th Street last Thursday. The home is across the street from Annieville elementary. Police seized 380 pot plants worth an estimated $140,000 and another $7,000 in growing equipment. [continues 234 words]
A Vancouver firefighter was arrested Thursday for operating a marijuana grow-op at his North Delta home, the Optimist has learned. Considered a mid-sized operation, Delta police seized 380 plants with a street value of $140,000. Const. Sharlene Brooks neither confirmed nor denied what the 44-year-old man did for a living, but the Optimist was able to confirm through reliable sources and nearby residents that the man arrested Thursday morning is a Vancouver firefighter. Brooks said police are unable to identify the individual because charges have not yet been laid. That is expected to happen sometime next week, at which time police will be able to release the suspect's name. [continues 597 words]
You know how it is some mornings. You read something in the newspaper that sticks in your neural craw and you masticate on it the rest of the day, trying to digest the full import of the material in question. That very thing happened to me just last week. Only it wasn't the newspaper. It was my underwear. "Maggie, look at this," I said to my wife, "these Stanfields say they're made in Canada." Her finely tuned diatribe detector kicking in, she backed towards the door, mumbling something about a forgotten root canal appointment. [continues 779 words]
Talk to your kids about crystal meth, or at least that's what the Ministry of Health is telling you. With that kind of approach, the province isn't doing nearly enough for a situation that is so potentially devastating. The campaign the provincial government is running focuses on prevention, urging parents to speak to their kids about the effects of this harmful drug. Victoria is also running an ad and hosting a website (www.no2meth.ca) that offers advice and provides facts. [continues 498 words]
Nov. 19 to 25 is National Addictions Awareness Week, a time to raise awareness about substance use in our society and the negative impact that drinking, drugging and smoking have in our communities. This year the focus is on the threat crystal meth presents, both to those who use it and the communities where this drug is manufactured in clandestine labs. It has been suggested crystal meth is the most dangerous drug to come along in years. It is highly addictive, relatively cheap and produces a high that can last for hours. Some have called it the "poor man's cocaine." [continues 444 words]
The possibility of a highway interchange or private development eating into the fringes of Burns Bog isn't the only environmental threat to the unique wetlands. In fact, it took just five minutes of easy bushwhacking just off Highway 91 Tuesday afternoon to find evidence of a number of marijuana grow-ops. Biologist and filmmaker Don DeMille, who has been fighting for the preservation and restoration of the bog for years, led a group into the property this week to demonstrate the damage done by people using the soft peat as a convenient growing medium. [continues 241 words]
Delta council and the Delta police board have endorsed a plan by Deltassist to conduct a review of drug use, in particular crystal methamphetamine, in Delta schools. Julie Chadwick of Deltassist's youth substance use committee said crystal meth is not a major problem in Delta yet. "We'd like it to remain that way," Chadwick told councillors during a presentation last week. Of the 200 youths who have used Deltassist services, only four have been addicted to crystal meth. Chadwick, however, said there is no baseline data available to develop a clear understanding of the scope and type of substance abuse in Delta, including that of crystal meth. Such information would help Deltassist to develop an efficient and effective community-wide response to meth and other substance use in co-ordination with the Fraser Health Authority, she said.Chadwick said the drug is highly addictive and can be attractive to youths as an appetite suppressant. The drug is also cheap. [continues 197 words]
A 19-year-old man who forced the temporary shutdown of the Tsawwassen ferry terminal last summer after claiming to be a terrorist blames the episode on his use of marijuana. Justin Goodfellow, a Saanich resident, pleaded guilty in Surrey provincial court last Friday to mischief in connection with an Aug. 17, 2005 incident in which he told staff he was a member of the Taliban. The Taliban is one of the Mujahideen (known as holy warriors or freedom fighters) groups that formed during the war against the Soviets. [continues 174 words]
A bylaw to make landlords more accountable for properties used to grow marijuana has netted Delta more than $80,000 over the past two years. Out of 53 properties issued with non-compliance orders because they had marijuana grow-ops, 41 have met the requirements so they could be safely reoccupied. That's a 77 per cent compliance rate. "It's not a monetary windfall, but it does ensure that landlords are doing their due diligence in inspecting their properties," said Delta police's drug section supervisor, Det./Sgt. Harj Sidhu. [continues 422 words]
New funding for crystal meth addiction is welcomed, but the money has to reach the street level addict if it's going to be useful, warns Delta police Supt. Brad Parker. Parker, who has organized a series of recent community meetings detailing the horrors of crystal meth addiction, said the provincial government's announcement this week to add $8 million to its annual addiction budget is positive. "Any step like that is good but I hope it's not eaten up in administration costs," he said. "Where it needs to be is at the street level for (treatment) beds and counselling. I look forward to that happening," he told the Optimist. [continues 216 words]
Delta police have issued a warning about crystal meth-laced marijuana. While police here have not actually seized any tainted marijuana, it is something officers are hearing on the street and wanted to warn the public about. "The police have received information that this is occurring in order to facilitate a new addiction to methamphetamines in those that are using marijuana recreationally or in a social capacity," said media liaison officer Const. Kim Sheridan. Methamphetamines can be consumed in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, snorting, injecting and smoking. [continues 250 words]
The Delta police department recently held two community meth forums, one in North Delta and the other in South Delta. It was exciting to be part of the planning committee for such a worthwhile project and I think the forums went off without a hitch. The venues were packed, the speakers were dynamic and informative and the feedback we received was very positive. I also really enjoyed the presentations and took away with me the following: Methamphetamine can have an impact on my life, no matter who I am, where I live, what I do to earn a paycheque and whether or not I use it myself. [continues 598 words]
It's not a problem here yet, but that's not to say Delta will never experience the scourge of crystal methamphetamine. "We've been quite fortunate here in this community that we're not seeing it on the streets like they are in other places," said Delta police drug section supervisor Sgt. Harj Sidhu. While crystal meth isn't as urgent an issue in Delta as it is in other Lower Mainland municipalities, the drug section recently arrested a meth trafficker and last year broke down a methamphetamine production lab on 104th Street in East Delta. [continues 336 words]
A convicted drug dealer has been banned indefinitely from using Delta's parks and recreation facilities, the Optimist has learned. Chris Cameron, released recently after serving just eight months of a four-year sentence for cocaine trafficking, was banned, with no time or date stipulated, following a unanimous vote of Delta council Monday. "He's already been given notice a couple of times, so council has taken more permanent action on this," said Mayor Lois Jackson, who also sits as chair of the Delta police board. [continues 386 words]
Two men have been arrested and charges are pending after the Delta police drug section seized over 350 plants at a commercial marijuana growing operation on River Road last Thursday. Const. Kim Sheridan said the plants were valued at $168,000. Another $8,000 worth of growing equipment was seized from the scene of the grow-op in the 11100-block of River Road. "Two adult males were arrested and charges for the production of the marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking have been recommended," Sheridan said. [continues 182 words]
The Delta school board wants to make sure its schools are safe and caring places. Earlier this year, the district hired a consultant from the Institute for Safe Schools of British Columbia at the University of the Fraser Valley to conduct a safe school responsibility review. The consultant met with district and school staff and community agencies over several months to assess Delta's current programs, policies and protocols dealing with bullying, drug use and other issues. He came up with a list of recommendations how the board, which is already revising the district's code of conduct, can improve its policies. [continues 490 words]
Editor: Now there are two women who should win the "Dumb Mother of the Year" award. First there was the one who bought liquor for her 15-year-old, now there's one complaining about a broken weed pipe she had purchased. Smarten up ladies. I don't want to hear "but they were good kids" when they land in jail, or worse, for breaking the law. B. James [end]
Editor: Re: Mother upset police destroyed marijuana pipe, Crime Beat, Aug. 27 I was speechless when I read the list of complaints the police had dealt with last week, including the complaint where some youths had been found intoxicated by smoking marijuana and still had the pipe in their possession. Naturally the police are going to confiscate and destroy it. What I am having a hard time understanding is why these youth were not charged with something. Then to make matters worse, the mother of one of the youth phones to complain about the destruction of the pipe because it cost her $40. [continues 231 words]
One Day Last Week, Three Students Had A Drug Slipped Into Their Drinks Without Their Knowledge. Within 10 minutes, the three appeared to be extremely drunk. They began to wonder why they were feeling so drunk and how they got to where they were. They started to vomit. By the time 20 minutes had passed, they no longer had control over their bodies. They started to shake. Their hearts raced uncontrollably and while they tried to speak, the words just didn't come out right. [continues 611 words]
The Canadian Association of Police Boards won't hear from the Delta police board on the federal government's plans to change marijuana laws. In a rousing debate rarely seen at the monthly police board meetings, last Thursday the majority of members refused a request from their national association to make comment on a set of recommendations on Bill C-17, more commonly known as the Cannabis Reform Bill. Board member Sean Hodgins wanted the report and draft recommendations received for information without comment, even though the national association wanted feedback by the end of this month. [continues 561 words]
A few years ago, Delta police were flooded with complaints about marijuana growing operations in residential neighbourhoods. At one point, it was estimated Delta was home to 200 to 300 indoor grow-ops. It was hard to ignore the late night traffic in quiet cul-de-sacs, violent home invasions, in which some of the action spilled onto the streets, and fires that put neighbouring homes in danger. Borrowing a military analogy, Delta Supt. Brad Parker calls it "collateral" activity generated by indoor grow-ops. [continues 661 words]
Local civic workers want to become extra eyes and ears for the police. Representatives from CUPE Local 454 were at Delta council this week outlining a proposed City Watch program, aimed at reducing crime by encouraging workers working outdoors to be on extra alert for suspicious activities. "While we are out in the community we'd be trained what to look for, things such as grow ops, chop shops, break-ins or high risk offenders," said Darryl Robison, president of Local 454. [continues 378 words]
Calvin Meier is a young man who made a bad choice - and he's the first to admit it. Meier was one of nearly a dozen people caught in a sophisticated dial-a-dope scheme rampant in South Delta. The alleged mastermind, Ladner resident Chris Cameron, 28, has been in custody since his arrest in September. Meier, 21, was apprehended by Delta police in a second round of arrests through Operation Big Wheels a few weeks later. The Tsawwassen resident had been "on the job" for about a day-and-a-half, he contends, when police arrested him. [continues 321 words]
Editor: My name is Calvin Meier and many of you have read about the recent police drug raid that has put my family in a shameful position. The reason I am writing this is not for gratitude, remorse, forgiveness or pity, but to explain why people do the things they do. Since I was seven years old, I've been brought up by a single mother who wanted nothing more than to see me succeed in life and has done everything in her power to make my dreams come true. [continues 801 words]
An alleged ring of Ladner cocaine traffickers got its supply from two organized crime groups, the Delta police revealed at a press conference Monday. "We can say that some of the cocaine before you (seized) has been sold by Asian organized crime and there are indications that some of the cocaine came from the Hells Angels," said Supt. Brad Parker. Delta police arrested six people and laid 39 charges in a five-month undercover investigation dubbed Operation Big Wheels, which focused on a highly-organized dial-a-dope operation in South Delta. [continues 272 words]
Delta police have broken down yet another marijuana grow operation in Ladner, the third such incident in the past few weeks. This time, three people including a 25-year-old Ladner resident, were arrested as police executed the search warrant Thursday at 7:20 p.m. in the 4600-block of 45 Avenue. "In the last three weeks, we've done seven grow-ops and I believe three of those were in Ladner," said media liaison officer Const. Sharlene Brooks. Police believe the home was a rental property. The suspects bypassed the electricity in order to run the indoor growing operation. [continues 151 words]
What was thought to be a bomb threat on a ferry sailing out of Tsawwassen Thursday morning was really just a case of two guys trying to find a private place to smoke a joint. Two American tourists on the 11 a.m. sailing of the Spirit of British Columbia told a crew member they observed two men greet each other by shaking hands. One of the tourists then thought she heard one of the men say "blow up the boat," confirmed Sidney RCMP Cpl. Nedge Drgastin. [continues 366 words]
First it was the proliferation of indoor marijuana growing operations. Now Delta police are contending with commercial-sized crystal methamphetamine labs, places that produce a dangerous chemical cocktail that can explode at any time. Last Friday afternoon, a motorist driving on 104th Street in East Delta, in the heart of the community's farmland, spotted a man who climbed out of a roadside bush trying to attract the driver's attention. "He stated to the motorist he had been held against his will and beaten," said Delta police media liaison officer Const. Sharlene Brooks. "He said there were others in a barn-type building also being held." [continues 705 words]
The addition of a crime analyst at the Delta police department was bound to generate some attention, especially from the local media. But when news broke of a thought-provoking report that touched on the startling number of murders in the Indo-Canadian community, the press came calling in a big way for Delta's new analyst. Stuffed into the Delta police board room Thursday morning, nearly two dozen media organizations questioned Alex Tyakoff, just one month on the job, about his report, South Asian-Based Group Crime in British Columbia (1993-2003). It's a document that was released publicly seven months earlier, but for some reason only caught the attention of the media this week. [continues 615 words]
Following the bust of a Point Roberts teenager accused of smuggling pot across the border on a school bus run to Blaine, Delta police say they are working closely with their U.S. counterparts. But media liaison Const. Sharlene Brooks said this case is no different from a variety of cross-border cases Delta police continue to work on with the Americans. "We obviously have heightened awareness at this time and we will continue in this practice of exchanging information with U.S. authorities," Brooks said, adding the department also works with the RCMP's border integrity unit. [continues 231 words]
Editor: How can landlords be held accountable for the actions of the people who rent their property? They definitely have a role to play in making sure they review any person who is looking to rent. Keeping in communication on a regular basis also helps the relationship between the parties, which should also benefit the community. I believe that landlords have very limited rights to "check up" on the property as renters have a right to privacy as defined in the Tenancy Act. How do you balance the need for landlords to keep their investment, and the community, safe, but also allow the renter some peace and privacy in the rental property? [continues 194 words]
Editor: Re: Landlords should pay grow-op costs, Murphy's Law, Feb. 18 Ted Murphy contends that landlords are at least partially responsible for the presence of grow-ops on their property and therefore ought to be wholly responsible for the costs (incurred by the municipality). As it is, landlords bear a severe cost as a result of damage to their property. There are a number of reasons why I strongly disagree with Murphy and the municipality. First of all, landlords are to be carte blanche made liable without any proof that they actually contributed to the presence of the grow-op, either willfully or through negligence. [continues 292 words]
It's about time the municipality and police department took action against landlords where marijuana grow-ops are found. Don't get me wrong, the landlords aren't the bad guys in the sense they're not the ones growing the dope, but they do play a significant role in what is unfortunately a flourishing industry. It's rare that someone operating a grow-op is doing so in their own home. There's no sense plunking down $300,000 or $400,000, only to rip up carpeting, knock down walls, overload the circuitry and generally destroy what you have just purchased. No, it's far better to do all that to someone else's property. [continues 345 words]
Delta property owners whose homes contain indoor marijuana growing operations or methamphetamine labs will soon be fined by the municipality. Delta council gave conditional approval to a bylaw, modelled after similar legislation in Surrey and Port Moody, that will charge property owners for service costs and fine them up to $5,000 a day for a continuing offence. That will help recoup costs associated with building inspections, removal and disposal of drugs and equipment, the issuance of police search warrants and even police overtime. The costs can be added to the property taxes if the owner fails to pay. [continues 122 words]
Editor: Re: Coleman paints an unflattering picture of the Hells Angels, Nov. 29 Are there more steadfast, more helpful friends of the police, the politicians and the media than organized crime? I don't think so. If there were no criminal gangs, how would the police be able to justify their huge budgets, how would politicians promise to slay the dragon of organized crime and what would newspapers like yourself find to write about? In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if organized crime were a cooperative make-work project of the federal government, cops and newspaper publishers. [continues 58 words]
Solicitor General Rich Coleman may be getting tough on crime in general, but his strongest declarations during a speech at a Delta Chamber of Commerce luncheon this week were reserved for the Hells Angels. "They are the franchise of organized crime in this province," he told the crowd of business people, an audience which included senior officers from Delta police and the nearby Richmond RCMP detachment. "There's a group of people out there called the Hells Angels and they'll probably be delivering toys out to UBC soon, but these people don't care about your community," Coleman said, referring to the gang's annual Christmas toy run. [continues 307 words]
Delta council wants the federal government to hand over some of the money it receives when property assets are seized following indoor marijuana grow-op investigations. That probably won't happen as major legislative changes would be required to allow assets to go back to the municipality in which they were seized. As a result, some municipalities have begun to enact bylaws to recover costs involved with marijuana grow-op investigations. On Monday, Delta council gave the OK to staff to start work on a bylaw that would allow the municipality to recover some of those enforcement costs. [continues 266 words]
It may soon be legal to carry small amounts of marijuana and Delta politicians have some serious concerns. Prime Minister Jean Chretien is expected to announce this week the government's plans to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. While it's unclear what limit will be set on possession - some suspect it will be 20 grams or less of the drug - others believe it will be a 30-gram limit. Delta MP John Cummins said no matter what the amount, a policy of this kind has widespread implications. [continues 355 words]
Police Seize Marijuana Worth An Estimated $3 Million From Barn On Ladner's 46A St. Police busted the largest marijuana grow operation in Delta's history at a barn in Ladner this week. Officers from Delta's drug unit executed a warrant at a barn in the 4000-block of 46A Street Wednesday afternoon, where they found 2,500 pot plants worth an estimated $3 million on the street. "It would be enough to supply 5,000 Delta youth for 27 years," noted media liaison officer Const. Sharlene Brooks. [continues 238 words]
Jim Cessford Says Legalizing Marijuana Will Increase Crime A Senate report recommending the legalization of marijuana has the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police hitting back. "We had to respond because we are simply not in agreement," said Delta police chief Jim Cessford, who chairs the association. The group of provincial police chiefs has spent time developing a strategy on the question of decriminalization. Its focus has been public safety. "Police, for some reason, seem to have a need to discuss the health issues when our area of expertise is public safety," said Cessford. "So what we're saying from a public safety perspective is, we don't support this." [continues 364 words]
DFO/In less than a week officers have seized poached sturgeon from residences searched for grow-ops Department of Fisheries and Oceans officers believe there's a trend underway that involves both poaching, usually sturgeon, and marijuana grow operations. That's not as odd as it seems in light of two recent investigations which resulted in the seizure of $850,000 worth of marijuana and several sturgeon found in the suspects' homes. Last week, the Delta police seized $350,000 worth of marijuana and during the search, found a live sturgeon in the suspect's kitchen fridge. Fisheries officers, who were called by police, were able to rescue the fish. They later released the sturgeon into the Fraser River. [continues 484 words]
Crackdown by Delta Police Leads to Largest Increase in Province A jump of 1,293 per cent in marijuana grow operations over four years in Delta may seem like a lot, but police say that number is confirmation of the success of Operation Bud Out. "We're using it as a success story, if you will," said Delta police spokesperson Const. Sharlene Brooks. "If you're not investigating, it looks like there's no problem." A report released this week by the University College of Fraser Valley found Delta to have the largest increase in grow-op cases in the province in 2000. The number of grow-ops that year was listed at 209, which was 75 per cent higher than the provincial average. [continues 302 words]
Marijuana party candidate finds little support for legalization efforts at public forums Legalizing marijuana isn't an easy sell in tony Tsawwassen, whether it's flogged at an all-candidates meeting at a seniors centre or in front of an audience of suits at a business luncheon. Nonetheless, B.C. Marijuana party candidate Michael Hansen, looking every bit a product of the 1970s with a neatly tied pony-tail flowing down his back and a Fu Manchu mustache, soldiers on with his message. The audience will listen politely or at least make an effort to stifle giggles. [continues 409 words]
Delta Police Chief Cites Deltaport Bust As More Proof Of Need To Fund Liaison Officer A major heroin seizure at the Deltaport container terminal earlier this month is an example of why the Delta police department continues to lobby for enforcement funding. "It has always been our position that we believe the Vancouver Port Authority needs to commit that funding for a port liaison officer," said Delta police chief Jim Cessford. Canada Ports Police was dissolved, leaving the bulk of enforcement to local police agencies. The port provided interim funding, which runs out this September. [continues 226 words]
Editor: Re: RCMP pulls its officers from Delta police's drug section, March 7 Instead of wasting the taxpayers' money, Mayor Lois Jackson ought to do the right thing and budget zero dollars for the drug section. The RCMP offer the best reason why: They have been fighting drugs for over 20 years without anything to show, other than 600,000 Canadians now having "criminal" records for the "vice" of taking the wrong social drugs. Drug users are sinners, they are not criminals and they are not sick. [continues 288 words]
Members reassigned as federal force snaps two decade relationship A long-standing commitment by the federal government to aid municipal police departments in drug enforcement is coming to an end. Delta police chief Jim Cessford has confirmed the RCMP will pull its two officers who now work in the Delta police's drug section. Cessford was told the officers will be reassigned to other divisions within the federal law enforcement agency. Under the federal drug mandate, the RCMP has funded two positions in the drug unit in Delta since 1978. [continues 444 words]
Police Investigate As Syringes Found At Several Ladner Sites It was earlier this week when a Ladner resident stepped into the Optimist office and told an employee there were used needles on the front landscaping. There were four of them, one which still had a clear substance inside. Across the street, Petro Canada gas station employees couldn't believe it when they found six needles inside the toilet tank in their public washroom two weeks ago. Station owner Anne Zbitnoff said staff checked the toilet because it wasn't working properly. Luckily, Zbitnoff had a needle retrieval kit given to the station two years ago by the garbage collection company it employs. Up until this month, there was never a need for it. [continues 260 words]
