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Rental home cannot be occupied again until a number of requirements are met
By Hempology | December 13, 2007
Kelowna Capital News, BC
09 Dec 2007
GROW-OP RAID COULD RESULT IN FIRST TEST OF MUNICIPAL BYLAW
Police raid on residential property expected to prompt first use of Peachland’s contolled substances property remediation bylaw.
A Peachland marijuana growing operation raided Thursday will be one of the first tests of a new controlled substances bylaw in the municipality.
RCMP offciers descended on a house in the 5200-block of Pineridge Road early Thursday afternoon with a search warrant.
“We had some information of a possible grow op at this location,” said Cpl. Gerry Guiltenane.
Police had investigated the possible grow op over the past few weeks, said Guiltenane, leading to a search warrant being secured.
Guiltenane said the smell of marijuana was evident just on the perimeter of the property.
“We have two people in custody at the moment,” said Guiltenane, adding they are a male and female and believed to be married. Their ages were not available.
A neighbour walking by the scene Thursday said he believed the two rented the home.
“It looks to be about 300 or so plants inside this residence,” said Guiltenane.
RCMP were unsure early on if a hydro bypass had been installed at the location, but Guiltenane said the wiring for the grow op looked makeshift and “very dangerous.”
Members of the fire department were called in to make sure there was no immediate fire hazard.
Animal control arrived to take custody of a large dog in the home and B.C. Hydro arrived shortly after RCMP to cut power to the home.
Guiltenane said he believes Thursday’s bust marks one of the first times a home will come under Peachland’s new controlled substances property remediation bylaw, enacted by district council in August.
The bylaw covers homes that have been used for marijuana grow operations and meth labs, and spells out what needs to be done with a property used for those functions before it can be reoccupied.
Fire chief Grant Topham hung ‘Do not enter’ signs on the home’s doors, warning anyone who approaches that the home is considered dangerous and not habitable.
The home cannot be occupied again until a number of requirements are met, including:
- – The payment of all necessary fees to the district, including bylaw officer and firefighter time.
- – That all necessary permits have been taken out to effect repairs to the home.
- – The bylaw officer has inspected the home and deemed it suitable to live in.
The home’s owner must either remove and dispose of all carpets and curtains or have them cleaned by a professional cleaner.
Air ducts in homes with forced-air heating must be cleaned professionally and mould or water-damaged materials must be removed or all walls and ceilings must be cleaned and disinfected by a professional cleaner.
No one is allowed to live in the Pineridge home until the bylaw’s requirements have been met.
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