Running water leads to grow op

Castanet Staff - Apr 20, 2009

Running water has led police to the discovery of a grow op in the North Okanagan. Vernon RCMP responded to a call of water running out of a home in the 2900 block of Lardeau Way just before 8:30 a.m. Sunday. RCMP spokesperson, Gord Molendyk, says when no one answered the door, they were concerned someone inside might be in need of help, so they called a locksmith to help them gain entry to the home. “The City was called to shut the water off at the street. As soon as the police were in the house, they determined that the house contained a grow operation. The cause of the water problem was the hydroponics system failed and caused water to be pumped out of the house and down the driveway,” says Molendyk. He says a search warrant was obtained and 71 plants were seized, as well as grow equipment. “The house has been posted under the drug by-law. The investigation is continuing and charges are expected to be laid against the resident of the home.”