Vernon police have shut down two large and sophisticated indoor marijuana grow-operations, seizing 1,400 pot plants in the process. The operations were connected said RCMP spokesman Gordon Molendyk during a police briefing Monday, but he wouldn‘t comment on whether they were tied to organized crime. One search warrant was executed April 12 in the 2200 block of 24th Avenue, near a high school. “This was a factory. It was set up to strictly produce marijuana,” said Molendyk. “It was made to look like someone was still living there, but three-quarters was for a grow operation.” Police found 752 marijuana plants in different stages of growth, including 530 large plants – some at harvesting stage – and 222 recently planted small clone plants. About $15,000 worth of growing equipment was also seized. “Police located some areas of scorched walls where some electrical equipment had malfunctioned but, amazingly, had not caused a fire,” said Vernon RCMP Const. Kevin Cyr. A Vancouver man was arrested inside the home when the search warrant was executed. He has since been released, but charges are expected. Meanwhile, a search warrant was executed on a second home in the 7000 block of L&A Road. “The residence was found to have been entirely converted into a large, sophisticated marijuana grow operation,” said Cyr. “Every room, with the exception of the living room and kitchen, contained growing marijuana plants.” Cyr said the living room and kitchen contained extra chemicals, soil and other equipment. “All of the carpet had been removed from the bedrooms and holes had been cut in the floor and ceiling to accommodate the venting system. Large bottle of pesticides were located in various areas of the house,” said Cyr. Police seized 669 plants from the home, 122 were ready for harvest. Also about $15,000 worth of growing equipment was confiscated. One man, also from Vancouver, was arrested inside the home. He‘s been released, but charges are expected. Both home have been closed under a municipal bylaw that forces owners to bring the property up to code before it can be occupied again.
Police said residential grow-operations are becoming more sophisticated and more difficult to spot. However, police provided some tips for picking out a grow-op:
- Basement windows never have the blinds open and never have lights on
- Fans can be heard in the home
- Skunkish odour of marijuana wafting from the property
- Windows remain open throughout winter, despite cold temperatures
- Snow on rooftops melts faster than surrounding homes
- At times condensation can be spotted on windows
“Residents should pay particular attention to houses that have been purchased but the normal ‘moving in‘ activities haven‘t been observed,” said Cyr. “The houses may appear to be unoccupied but are visited regularly by one or several different people who stay for a few hours at a time.” Police are urging residents to call the Vernon detachment at 545-7171 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if they suspect a grow-op is operating in their neighbourhood.
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