Grow operations are found everywhere, from upscale neighbourhoods to rural communities. They often leave buildings and residences uninhabitable and rife with mould and structural damage. Grow ops present serious fire hazards, cause significant health hazards and can lead to increased violence in our communities.

Between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011, ALERT seized approximately 100,615 marihuana plants, with an estimated street value of $12,073,800 from grow operations around the province. These plants, if grown to maturity, had the potential to produce over 50 million marihuana joints. The teams also seized 655,530 grams of processed marihuana.
By targeting and shutting down these illegal operations, ALERT directly impacts the ability of organized crime groups to finance other criminal activities.

Residents can help by being on the lookout for signs of grow operations their neighbourhoods. Report any suspicious activity to police or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Never investigate a marihuana grow operation on your own.

Tips for homeowners

Get to know your neighbours. The presence of one or more of the following does not necessarily indicate a grow operation, but they do typically share many of these features:

• occupants of the home are rarely seen, distant or secretive;
• windows are covered with black plastic, newspaper or heavy curtains;
• condensation on windows, frost build-up on eaves and vents during winter, lack of snow on roof;
• sound of electrical generators or fans;
• lights that are much brighter than normal home lighting;
• "skunky" smell of growing marihuana;
• unusual traffic at the home at odd times of the day or night;
• unusual piles of garbage, such as fertilizer containers, pots, and soil left beside the house;
• garbage is never or rarely laid out for collection;
• the residents are rarely seen taking groceries or other items, such as furniture, into the home;
• the property has excessive security (cameras, guard dogs, "keep out" signs, high fences, etc); and
• evidence of tampering to the electric metre (damaged or broken seals) or the ground around it.

Tips for landlords
To help protect property and residents, landlords should:

• obtain a credit history, photo identification, and check all references of potential tenants;
• interview all prospective tenants or renters;
• check your property regularly (a marihuana crop can take two to three months to grow); and
• ensure you have a detailed rental agreement and that your renters are actually living in or using the premises.