Grow-op found in industrial park

Responding to a major fire on Nov. 16 at a company on Berlier St. in Laval’s industrial park, firefighters inadvertently uncovered a marijuana grow-op that had been operating next door.
Although the fire which started at 872-876 Berlier was found to not be of criminal origin, the firemen decided to check the structural soundness of an adjoining building after the roof of the building that was on fire collapsed.
“Apparently the smoke went through the firewall and it was thought the fire had spread,” said Di Genova. As a result, when the firemen entered 880-882 Berlier, they were surprised to find a marijuana cultivation operation. When this happens, locations like this automatically become a crime scene and a search warrant is issued for their complete inspection by the police.
According to a report cited by Di Genova, 11,000 marijuana plants, ranging from one to three feet, were found in the warehouse, as well as 15,000 marijuana sprouts or cuttings which are used in the cultivation of the intoxicating and illegal plant. There were also bags filled with 22 kilograms of marijuana ready to be sold and consumed.
The Laval Police’s anti-drug squad, which has had a fair amount of experience in recent years shutting down these types of operation, reportedly consider this one to have been larger than most and well-equipped in terms of lighting and configuration of electricity.
“All their equipment was fairly upscale,” said Di Genova. Within the warehouse in question, the operators had gone so far as to reconfigure the interior so as to create a second storey inside where they could expand the growing operation. Although grow-ops themselves sometimes trigger fires, such was not the case in this instance.
The police must now deal with the consequences of a tactic that grow-op operators appear to be using more frequently. In order not be identified, they use multiple sub-lets for their chosen locations. As a result, the investigators often have a long paper trail to follow. The lease holder often ends up being a numbered company, rather than an individual who is immediately identifiable.