Second large grow-op found in Chilliwack hills
Interior of a second major grow operation discovered by Chilliwack RCMP in the Nixon Road area this week.
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Updated: September 11, 2009 3:15 PM
A second "very large" grow-op has been discovered in a barn near the massive $3-million operation busted by Chilliwack RCMP on Wednesday.
"There's nothing to suggest the two are linked," Cpl. Lea-Anne Dunlop said, but police continue to investigate both operations.
Six people, four males and two females, were arrested in connection with the barn grow-op discovered by police investigating the large amount of hydro electricity being consumed there.
The power consumption was detected by BC Hydro officials conducting tests at the larger underground grow-op in an adjacent property on Nixon Road.
Dunlop said the barn grow-op was set up in a different way using pots to grow "thousands" of marijuana plants, instead of hydroponic equipment that was used to grow over 11,000 plants in the underground bunker.
A 61-year-old Chilliwack man was arrested in connection with the bunker grow-op, but police believe many more were involved in the operation judging by its size and sophistication.
A sub-floor had been built in a Quonset hut on the property that concealed an elevator-style hydraulic lift that provided access to the underground bunker where four separate grow rooms were located.
There were also two booby traps designed to spray bear spray at anyone entering the hut, and security cameras were set up to monitor the grow-op from the house. Water for the hydroponics was pumped from nearby Elk Creek.
Police said no link to organized crime was immediately seen in the bunker grow-op, but the investigation continues.
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