Identifying and Reporting a suspected drug house or Grow Operation

Potential Danger to public health and safety with Drug houses

Fire The use of enormous amounts of electricity combined with illegal tampering with electrical system can lead to fires. The hazard often extends to neighbouring buildings.
Health: The high humidity and temperatures necessary for a grow room lead to the formation of damaging mold and fungus. This situation poses serious health risks to the residents.
Electrocution: Electrical bypasses and rewiring performed by unqualified individuals results in dangerous electrical hazards.
Poisonous gas and chemicals: The chemicals used in the production of marihuana are left to circulate inside the residence. These sometimes mix with air that has been re-vented from the furnace and/or water heater.
Violence: The occupants of a marihuana grow operation are more susceptible to extortion and home invasion. These operations are targeted by criminals who commit home invasions to steal the crop ("grow rips"). The presence of a grow operation increases the threat of violence to the neighbourhood.
Booby traps: Since marihuana grow operations are targets for grow rips, booby traps are sometimes used to injure or kill unsuspecting visitors or ‘first responders’.
Children at risk: Children who live in or visit a marihuana grow operation home are subject to physical dangers and the many health and safety hazards listed above.

The police bust an average of 3-4 grow-ops a week in neighbourhoods across British Columbia.

Rental buildings (residential and commercial) are often used so criminals avoid damage to their own property.
Residents may only be in the home occasionally for short periods of time.
People access the residence only through the garage.
Unusual visitor behaviour ranging from no visitors to frequent visitors for short periods.
Windows covered with dark plastic or newspaper.
Condensation forms on windows due to high humidity levels inside. This may also result in lack of snow on the roof in winter.
Skunk-like odour of growing marihuana can occasionally be detected outside.
Unusual garbage: little or no garbage or unusual items(e.g. pots and soil, fertilizer containers, wiring, PVC piping).
Electrical equipment inside creates humming sounds.
Hydro meter is often tampered with or bypassed.
Grow operations may use other props to deflect suspicion. Some of these include: outdoor and/or indoor lights, radio and/or TV on for 24 hours, flyers left in mailbox or on the front steps, children's toys & bikes outside without children living at the residence, realty signs posted.
A "Beware of Dog/Guard Dog" sign may be used to deter trespassing, protect against theft and avoid detection by police.

Call our non-emergency number at 604-463-6251 or Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477