CFSEU-BC shutdown sophisticated Fraser Valley grow-ops
By Nelson Daily Staff
Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) put a major dent into organized crime by shutting down four high-tech marijuana operations near Mission Friday.
CFSEU-BC, with support from the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team (LMD ERT), Surrey RCMP, and RCMP Air Services, executed five search warrants Friday (May 3) morning on five properties, arresting five men in relation to marijuana grow-ops believed to be linked to Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members.
The first warrant was executed at a residence in the 4500-block 206th Avenue in Langley where a 34-year old Langley man, believed to be the caretaker of all the grow-ops, was arrested without incident.
The remaining warrants were executed and marijuana grow-ops were found at the following addresses:
- 10000-block Sylvester Road, Mission
- 14000-block Sylvester Road, Mission
- 12000-block Dewdney Trunk Road, Mission
- 13000-block De Graff Road, Mission
CFSEU-BC’s spokesperson Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said all four grow-ops were very large with thousands of plants seized from each location for a total of about 10,000 plants.
Of note, the De Graff Road grow-op is described as an underground bunker-style operation where some of the venting was camouflaged with a mock doghouse and fire pit.
“Experienced officers describe it as one of the most sophisticated grow-ops they have ever seen,” Houghton said.
Houghton said two men, a 33 and 32-year-old, both of no fixed address, were arrested trying to flee the De Graff Road bunker on foot but were quickly caught by RCMP Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team members.
A 33-year old Burnaby man was also taken into custody inside the 14000-block Sylvester Road grow-op without incident.
A 34-year old man of no fixed address was caught trying to run from the 10000-block Sylvester Road grow-op by ERT members with the help of an RCMP K-9 unit. All of those arrested were released from custody and drug-related charges are being considered.
Houghton said two men, a 33 and 32-year-old, both of no fixed address, were arrested trying to flee the De Graff Road bunker on foot but were quickly caught by RCMP Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team members.
A 33-year old Burnaby man was also taken into custody inside the 14000-block Sylvester Road grow-op without incident. A 34-year old man of no fixed address was caught trying to run from the 10000-block Sylvester Road grow-op by ERT members with the help of an RCMP K-9 unit.
All of those arrested were released from custody and drug-related charges are being considered.
“These are not the classic marijuana grows in a closet in the basement or even ones seen in typical residential homes,” Houghton explained.
“We are talking about large, highly sophisticated grows that are using the latest technology to boost the growing cycle as well as extremely high levels of security to keep the grow operation concealed from both the police and, more importantly from the grower’s perspective, from organizations that exist almost solely to steal or “rip” grow-operations.”
“For the owners of these grows, it is all about creating an easy, untaxed, very lucrative income stream from the production of marijuana. It’s all about money and, in this case, we believe that money is associated to organized crime,” Houghton added.
In addition to the 10,000 marijuana plants, there was about 200-pounds of dried marijuana seized. The marijuana has an estimated value of between five million to $10 million. In addition to the marijuana, about $20,000 was recovered from the 206th Ave address.
The equipment used to produce the marijuana is estimated to be valued at $1 million. Of note each property was operated by a natural gas generator capable of providing power to a small town. Worth an estimated $100,000 each, the generators had to be removed by a large crane.
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