On Dec. 16, our detachment executed a search warrant on a home on Lands End Road in North Saanich. There were no furnishings and nobody living inside. The property was not isolated – it was surrounded by other homes and neighbours. The house was used solely for the purpose of housing a fairly large marijuana grow operation. This type of grow operation is not uncommon in our area and we are confident that others exist in our community.
Our officers dismantled the Lands End grow op that morning. We found more than 300 plants inside and discovered the suspects had reworked the hydro service to the house to support the operation.
Marijuana grow operations pose a serious threat to the safety of our communities and the officers fighting against these illegal operations. Wherever they exist, there is a potential for an increase in criminal activity and a greater chance of fire, explosions and violence. The impact of drugs and organized crime on our communities has been identified as a policing priority each year, both nationally and at the local level. As a detachment, we are committed to combatting these types of activities to keep our neighbourhoods safer.
Here are some signs that may indicate the presence of a marijuana grow operation:
• lots of condensation on the windows
• windows are covered all the time
• sounds of fans running constantly
• pungent odour of vegetative marijuana
• no sign of the occupants of the home, as one would expect
• the tenant does not make himself known to neighbours and is only there sporadically
• lack of garbage or recycling pick up at the curb during collection days
• overgrown yard and lack of yard maintenance
Look for several of these signs that appear together. If you suspect you are living next to a marijuana grow operation, please call our detachment at 250-656-3931 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to leave an anonymous tip.
Residents play an important role in keeping their communities safe and crime-free. With your help, we can get rid of these grow operations from our community, one at a time.