A B.C. man's house has been seized and sold by the government for a $266,000 profit three years after he was found growing more than 800 pot plants inside.

RCMP say they recently learned that the residence in the 12000-block of Mellis Drive in Richmond has been seized and resold in a rare case.

"It's not that common that properties are actually seized like this," said Cpl. Sherrdean Turley. "We just wanted to remind the public that grow-ops are a problem and to report them if people see suspicious activity."

Vancouver resident Tac Khac Le, 49, was arrested in March 2008 after police searched the home and discovered a sophisticated grow-op containing marijuana plants at different growth stages.

A few days later, police searched a separate property in the 700-block of 50th Avenue in Vancouver and found grow equipment, cash and documents linked to the Richmond drug operation.

A restraint was placed on the Mellis Drive property under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act shortly after the raid and the sale of property was approved in February 2011.

The surplus from the sale after mortgage payout and extra costs was more than $266,000, police say.

In September, Le was ordered to serve a conditional sentence of two years less a day after being convicted of charges including the cultivation of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and theft of telecommunication service.

Richmond RCMP say they have noticed a reluctance from the public to report suspected grow-ops in their neighbourhoods and want to remind people that action can be taken to stop dangerous drug-related activities. Crown prosecutors can apply for forfeiture of property if the owner commits a drug offence.

"While Crime Stoppers is an option to report crimes & remain anonymous, our tip line allows callers to leave their names and numbers for call back if they wish," said Turley in a release. "This provides the community with one-on-one contact with an officer for a more personalized exchange of information, while still maintaining anonymity in our police reports."

To report grow-ops or other drug or gang related activity in Richmond, call the tip line at (604)207-4762 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.