A call from a concerned mother inadvertently led Nanaimo police to a large marijuana-growing operation.
On Saturday, Nanaimo RCMP received a call from a woman who was worried about her 38-year-old son, according to Const. Andy Rickaby, RCMP spokesman.
"She hadn't heard from him in three months and he didn't call on her birthday, which was highly unusual," said Rickaby.
Officers tracked down the man's last known address where they found a vehicle registered in his name. They knocked on the doors and windows and talked to neighbours about the individual, Rickaby said.
Despite their efforts, police could make no contact with the man, nor any other resident of the house.
Thinking the man may be hurt or dead, police entered the house on the 100 block of Summit Drive. As they searched the premises for the missing man they found the marijuana plants, Rickaby said.
"We were inside of the house because we feared for his safety. We entered the house because of our concern for him."
The man was not in the house and police decided to curtail their search because of the presence of high voltage electricity.
They then applied for a warrant to search the residence to continue their investigation into the grow-op.
"Investigating officers received judicial approval and seized the 377 plants from the residence," said Rickaby.
The plants were in various stages of maturity. Besides the plants, the police also seized numerous pieces of growing equipment including lights, timers and ballasts.
The subject of the police's original search was not located and the investigation is ongoing, Rickaby said.
