Police discovered 80 large marijuana plants in two Prince George residences deliberately gutted to establish grow operations this week.
Also in one of the residence was a 10-year-old child who has been placed in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
The first bust Monday night, which was discovered by an anonymous tip from the public, was in the 2200 block of Croft Road where three adults were arrested and the child removed.
During the search of that residence, police found evidence leading to another grow op in the 5100 block of Hepting Road, which was shut down Tuesday morning.
"In both residences, significant damage was done to the structure, as well as the electrical and plumbing systems. The damage was deliberately done to establish the grow operations, making both residences unsafe to live in," said Cpl Craig Douglass, media liaison officer.
The City of Prince George By-law Enforcement Unit has deemed both residences unfit for occupancy under the new controlled substances bylaw that has been in effect since Sept. 13, 2010. Steps are being taken to make the residences safe to occupy again, said Douglass.
The bylaw allows city staff to respond to life safety issues associated with grow-operations and clandestine drug labs in the community, said municipal staffers during council discussions on the subject.
The bylaw also provides city staff the ability to recover costs associated with inspections, clean-up and associated costs incurred while responding to grow-operations and related.
Anyone with information about marijuana grow operation is asked to contact the RCMP at 250-561-3300 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
