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RCMP News Releases
Residential Property Seized After Tenant is Convicted of Housing a Grow Op
25 January 2012 File 2008-6848 |
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In March of 2008 Richmond RCMP’s Marihuana Enforcement Team received information of a possible grow op in the 12000 block of Mellis Drive. As part of the Marihuana Grow Initiative, the RCMP’s national strategy to combat marihuana grow ops and the organized crime groups running them in our communities, the team, along with Richmond RCMP’s Drug Section, executed a search warrant based on this information. The warrant uncovered a sophisticated grow operation with over 800 plants at different stages of growth. The grow was immediately dismantled and the tenant, 49 year old Vancouver resident Tac Khac Le was arrested.
A subsequent search occurred a few days later at a related property in the 700 block of 50th Avenue in Vancouver. Here grow equipment, cash and documents linked to the address on Mellis Drive were located. These documents, along with additional evidence gathered, allowed officers to make an application for the residential property on Mellis Drive to be restrained under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
In September of 2011 Le was successfully convicted of Cultivation of Marihuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Theft of Telecommunication Service. For each count Le received the same sentence of two years less a day conditional sentence order and a lifetime firearm prohibition.
In April of 2008 a restraint and management order was in place in regards to the property on Mellis Drive. This allowed for an order approving the sale of the property in February of 2011 with the property actually being sold the next month. The surplus from the sale of the property, after payout of the mortgage and associated costs, was just over $266,000.00.
Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Crown may apply for forfeiture of property used in any manner in connection with a designated drug offence such as production of marihuana, and the owner is then required to show the court that he or she appears innocent of complicity or collusion in such an offence. If the owner fails to convince the court that a return of the property is warranted, the property may be forfeited to the Crown.
Marihuana grow ops are a recurring problem that communities and their respective police agencies deal with in British Columbia and across Canada. Grow ops pose significant public safety concerns to the neighborhoods in which they exist. In the past, Richmond RCMP noticed a reluctance by members of the general public to call police when they suspect there may be a marihuana grow op in a neighboring residence.
Richmond RCMP would like to remind the community that a confidential drug and gang tip line exists within the detachment which is monitored by officers from Richmond’s Organized Crime Unit. Cpl. Turley explains “while Crime Stoppers is an option to report crimes and remain anonymous, our tip line allows callers to leave their names and numbers for call back if they wish. This provides the community with one on one contact with an officer for a more personalized exchange of information, while still maintaining anonymity in our police reports.”
To report grow ops or other drug or gang related activity in Richmond, please call the tip line at 604-207-4762, our main switchboard at 604-278-1212, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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Richmond RCMP Cpl Sherrdean Turley NCO i/c Media Relations Phone: 604-207-4779 Cell: 604-765-5787 Fax: 604-278-6773 |
