Burnaby RCMP say they have busted a "very unique" marijuana grow operation inside several transport trucks in their first drug bust of 2011.
Responding to a suspected electricity theft on Tuesday, Mounties found a sophisticated, long-term grow operation inside four two-tonne transport trucks parked inside a warehouse in the 7000-block of MacPherson Avenue.
Police seized 1,289 marijuana plants in various stages of growth as well as drying.
Cpl. Brenda Gresiuk told ctvbc.ca she has never seen a grow-op like it.
"There was a lot of equipment installed permanently -- they couldn't have driven off-site but perhaps that was what the original intention was," she said.
Gresiuk said the trucks will be processed by B.C.'s Civil Forfeiture Program, which seizes property from criminals. The program created $5.4 million in profits for the province in 2010.
Gresiuk said that no arrests have been made but police are investigating the tenants who rent the warehouse. Police do not believe the owners of the industrial complex, which also houses other businesses, are involved.
Cpl. Gregor Aitken said in a release that stealing hydro through a homemade meter bypass was "callous and thoughtless behaviour" because of the extreme fire risk it creates.
