The B.C. government has taken possession of two high-priced homes owned by a Surrey couple after police discovered large marijuana grow-ops inside.
A co-investigation by Langley and Surrey RCMP, along with the Abbotsford Police Department, led to searches of four area homes in June. Grow operations were found in each of the houses, and police seized 1,800 plants and 15 kilograms of marijuana bud.
Three of the homes were owned by Jack and Colleen Davis, and last month, a B.C. court granted a restraint and management order on two of the houses, giving the ministry of public works control over the properties.
The Davises' Surrey home is valued at $1.6 million and the Langley one is worth an estimated $750,000. The couple sold the third home just weeks before the restraint was granted.
Langley RCMP Cpl. Holly Marks told ctvbc.ca that the restraints are a first for the department.
"It hasn't been normal procedure for the Langley RCMP," she said.
Under the terms of the restraint, government officials will oversee the properties, and if the Davises are convicted of drug-related charges, prosecutors will apply for the homes to be forfeited.
Jack and Colleen Davis, aged 41 and 40, face a number of charges, including production of a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking and electricity theft.
Marks said that the sheer size and complexity of the drug operation suggests the involvement of organized crime: "There are four properties and four organized marijuana grow-ops."
Seven other people face similar charges in connection with the grow operations: Surrey residents Allan and Lesley Davis, aged 65 and 61; 30-year-old Tyler O'Neill, 34-year-old Alexis O'Neill, 30-year-old Christopher Brookes and 39-year-old Brent Goss of Langley; and Chilliwack resident Grace Polywkan, 25.
All charged against Polywkan were stayed in April 2011.
(Editor's note: This article was edited on 22/06/2011 to reflect the staying of charges against Polywkan.)
