A grow-op home has been seized and sold after its owner was convicted of cultivating marijuana in the property.
The large single-family home in the 1200 block of Mellis Drive was sold under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with a $266,000 profit.
The trail leads back to March of 2008 when Richmond RCMPs marijuana enforcement team received information of a possible grow op in the home.
A warrant obtained by the police uncovered a sophisticated grow-op with more than 800 plants at different stages of growth.
The grow was immediately dismantled and the tenant, 49 year old Vancouver resident Tac Khac Le, was arrested.
A subsequent search occurred a few days later at a related property in the 700 block of 50th Avenue in Vancouver.
There, grow equipment, cash and documents linked to the address on Mellis Drive were located.
These documents, along with additional evidence gathered, allowed officers to make an application for the residential property on Mellis Drive to be restrained under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
In September of 2011, Le was successfully convicted of cultivation of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and theft of telecommunication service.
For each count, Le received the same sentence of two years less a day conditional sentence order and a lifetime firearm prohibition.
In the past, Richmond RCMP noticed a reluctance by members of the general public to call police when they suspect there may be a marijuana grow op in a neighboring residence.
Richmond RCMP would like to remind the community that a confidential drug and gang tip line exists within the detachment, which is monitored by officers from Richmonds organized crime unit.
While Crime Stoppers is an option to report crimes and remain anonymous, our tip line allows callers to leave their names and numbers for call back if they wish, said Cpl. Sherrdean Turley.
This provides the community with one on one contact with an officer for a more personalized exchange of information, while still maintaining anonymity in our police reports.
To report grow ops or other drug or gang related activity in Richmond, call the tip line at 604-207-4762, the main switchboard at 604-278-1212, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
