Marijuana Grow Ops: What They Are, How To Identify One and What To Do When You Suspect A Grow Operation
Grow ops in BC continue to plague communities and Kamloops is not immune to this problem. Each grow operation presents many risks to the communities they exist in, such as drug traffic through the community and community safety related to this traffic. Marijuana production continues to be a multi-billion dollar industry in B.C. with thousands of charges laid against operators each year. There are endless stories of grow op busts of all sizes but the problem persists in B.C. and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
What is a Marijuana Grow Operation?
Marijuana Grow Ops appear in homes or outbuildings in residential, rural or commercial/industrial areas. These operations can occur in apartments, small bungalows, large multi-million dollar homes and commercial buildings. The buildings appear to be fairly well maintained and don’t look out of the ordinary however the internal structure may have received significant structural, electrical and heating system modifications that are not up to code or deemed safe.
Changes to these systems are done to replicate warm, humid climates in which hybrid plants flourish to produce high potency marijuana. Structures that were previously Marijuana Grow Ops are often unsafe for human occupancy. This is because of compromised structural and mechanical integrity, as well as hazards from mold (mould) and chemical residue.
Is there a grow op in your neighbourhood? How to identify a grow op.
(It is important to note that a positive response to some of these questions does not mean it is a grow op house and that the residents are involved in criminal activity. Please use this questionnaire as a basic guideline only.)
1. Occupants don’t appear to have regular job hours and drive expensive automobiles.
2. Dark window coverings on many windows
3. Illuminated rooms or outbuildings nearly 24 hours a day.
4. Heavy condensation on windows, lack of frost or snow on roofs of houses when others have frost and snow. Blowing curtains from fans.
5. Abnormal number of roof vents or unusual amount of steam in cold weather.
6. Extra security such as large fences or guard dogs.
7. Entry is always through the automatic garage doors and residents are always in their cars
8. Strange smell or odor coming from the home.
9. Electrical humming sounds, numerous fans and running water.
10. Unusual wiring to the exterior of the home and or the hydro meter spins at a faster than normal rate.
11. Commonly experienced localized power surges or browning. Lights often dim or appliances slow down with lack of power.
12. Avoid making any contact with neighbours.
13. Toys are often outside the home but no children are ever seen at the home.
14. Large quantities of growing equipment & supplies are seen taken into the home/outbuildings but there are no flowers or gardens at the home. Often purchased in winter months.
15. Numerous pots, soil, garden hoses and fertilizers around the property.
16. Appears to be vacant, yard poorly kept and newspapers build up at the front door.
17. Hoses run from doors and windows to the outside of the home.
18. Visitors often park down the street and walk to the home.
19. In condominiums owners move in at night, disappear for long periods of time or you never see them move in.
21. Garbage days there is no garbage ever or there is no noticeable activity in the home but a lot of garbage.
Grow ops can either be lived in or maintained by visiting gardeners. The RCMP see a lot of operations now where the whole house is used, on the other hand, sometimes only a small portion of a home is used.
How to detect a Marijuana grow operation when purchasing a home.
When purchasing a home it is important to do all the appropriate tests and inspections to safeguard your purchase. A thorough environmental assessment which includes an air quality and mold inspection should be conducted. A proper inspection for mould should be thorough and include numerous air samples (spore test) and visual inspection of the structure. These comprehensive tests will survey the air quality to identify and locate hidden pollution and mould levels indoors. These tests will identify any areas that had previous grow operations and contain abnormal levels of mould or chemical pollution. These agents alone can cause serious health problems leading to long term conditions.
A listing Realtor is required by the Canadian Real Estate Association to have a home owner fill out a Property Condition Disclosure Statement. This statement is filled out by the home owner and requires a home owner to disclose any “material latent defects” such as a grow operation that cannot be detected with reasonable investigation. Grow op owners can and have hidden obvious signs of a previous grow operation and not disclosed it in this form. A potential buyer unfortunately has to search deeper before assuming all facts are disclosed by the homeowner. Talking to neighbours and local authorities often can uncover information.
If you suspect a marijuana grow-op in your neighbourhood
If you suspect a property is being used to grow marijuana or that a property has a bypassed electric meter, contact your local Police. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).
Sicamous, located south east of Kamloops is known as the house boat capital of Canada and has the largest fleet of houseboats in the world. During the summer months houseboating is a very popular activity for vacationers. This beautiful area is set against the Monashee Mountains and the shores of Mara and Shuswap Lakes. This small town is a great place to explore any season of the year. The Sicamous area has over the past ten years become a popular destination for investors purchasing summer homes both on the water in the form of private houseboats or one of the many newer townhomes or apartments that sit on the waterfront.
Salmon Arm is located south east of Kamloops, is known as the heart of the Shuswap, has a population of roughly 17,000 and is Shuswap’s centre of commerce and services. It is the Okanagan Valley’s northern gateway to the Shuswap. A great city for outdoors enthusiasts. Salmon Arm is located mid way between Vancouver and Calgary making it a popular meeting spot for many vacationers. Experience everything from water related sports, 18-hole golf courses, to cross-country ski trails, back country sleigh rides and carnivals, to snowmobiling, mountain biking and hiking. A great place for the whole family.
The Chase area, located 45 minutes east of Kamloops, is the western gateway to the Shuswap region. Chase is located on the south western shores of little Shuswap Lake, set in the mountains at the eastern end of the South Thompson River valley. This small town boasts many amenities, beautiful beaches, a golf course and gorgeous parks. Little Shuswap and near by lakes are perfect for fishing, wake boarding, swimming and paddling, mountain bikeing, hiking and cross country trails.
The North Shuswap includes the areas Anglemont, Celista, Lee Creek, Magna Bay, Scotch Creek, Seymour Arm and St. Ives. This area is only a few minutes north of Highway #1 and has over 100 kilometers of unspoiled shoreline. There are many options for accommodations, restaurants and tourism in this area. For outdoors enthusiasts, there are dozens of activities to suit everyone’s needs and desires. For further information about this area 
The South Shuswap has a variety of recreational choices and numerous homes to choose from. Balmoral, Blind Bay, Carlin, Eagle Bay, Notch Hill, Skimikin, Sorrento, Sunnybrae, Tappen, White Lake and Wild Rose Bay are all conveniently located along Highway #1 and line the Shuswap shores facing Copper Island. Much like all the areas of the Shuswap region, this area is no different, there are a couple dozen outdoor activities to enjoy any season of the year. For further information about the South Shuswap 
The bathroom is one of the most used and abused rooms in a typical home. Bathrooms have plumbing, electrical and mechanical devices, along with cabinets and floors that need to be inspected. Inspecting the bathroom is a critical part of any general home inspection. A Global Property Inspections professional will check the toilet, the sink and the tub/shower. Although the condition and proper operation of these fixtures are key parts of a functioning bathroom, there are other important things to take note of.
The combination of water, medications and electrical appliances make safety precautions in and around the bathroom essential. The Home Safety Council advises families to follow the following tips for bathroom safety:
About 60 percent of a home’s water consumption takes place in the bathroom. Take into consideration the following items in your bathroom to find out ways you can make an environmental difference.