A 33-year-old Burnaby man was arrested in Mission on May 3 as part of five search warrants executed by B.C.'s anti-gang police.
According to a press release, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. shut down five marijuana grow-ops believed to be linked to outlaw motorcycle gang members operating on properties in both Mission and Langley.
"These are not the classic marijuana grows in a closet in the basement or even ones seen in typical residential homes. We are talking about large, highly sophisticated grows that are using the latest technology to boost the growing cycle as well as extremely high levels of security," said Sgt. Lindsey Houghton in the release. "For the owners of these grows, it is all about creating an easy, untaxed, very lucrative income stream from the production of marijuana. It's all about money and, in this case, we believe that money is associated with organized crime."
Officers executed the first warrant in the 4500block of 206th Avenue in Langley and from there progressed to four other locations in Mission.
The Burnaby man was found at the third location in the 14000-block of Sylvester Road, according to the release.
Officers seized 10,000 marijuana plants and about 200-pounds of dried marijuana with an estimated value between $5 million and $10 million, according to the release
Officers also seized about $20,000 from the Langley property and production equipment worth about $1 million.
The Burnaby man was one of five men arrested on May 3. They have all since been released and charges are being considered.
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