Charges are pending against a 58-year-old Yarmouth County man for production of marijuana after the Meteghan RCMP detachment and the RCMP Marijuana Grow Operations Team seized approximately 47 marijuana plants at a commercial property located in the 900 block of Riverside Road in New Edinburgh, Digby County on Wednesday, March 10.
The RCMP obtained a search warrant for the location and say they discovered a sophisticated indoor marihuana grow operation. The marihuana plants were in various stages of growth and grow equipment was also seized.
Aside from a pending charge of production of marijuana, a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking marijuana will also be laid. The man was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Comeauville provincial court on June 28. Because the charges had not yet been filed with the court, the man's name had not been released at the time this story was posted.
The RCMP is warning the public that marijuana grow operations pose a significant risk to community health and safety. Large amounts of electricity combined with illegal tampering can lead to fires, and high humidity and temperatures can result in the formation of damaging mold and fungus. As well, poisonous gas and chemicals used in the production of marihuana are left to circulate.
Below are common signs of a marijuana grow operation in your community:
•Rental or abandoned buildings are often used so criminals avoid damage to their own property.
•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 marijuana 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.
If anyone has any information on marijuana grow operations, or on any criminal activity, contact the police or Crime Stoppers at1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
