GROW OPERATIONS & METH LABS - WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?

Finding Grow Operations - Signs to look for

• Residences whose windows are blacked out, or covered with blinds that are never opened.
• A residence that appears unoccupied, but where someone shows up periodically and who appears unusually secretive and/or private.
• People taking suspicious materials or garbage away from a building, such as plastic sheeting, plant stocks, fertilizer bags, plastic piping, large amounts of soil etc.
• Loud fans and/or modified venting areas on a house or other building.
• A "skunky" smell coming from a building (marijuana in the budding/flowering stage emits a strong, distinct odour).
• An unusual amount of electricity being used, or unusual electrical hookups to a house or other building.
• Humming sounds from lights or electrical transformers.
• Unusually warm buildings, for example, snow may melt off buildings in the winter, or there could be sweating or condensation on the siding or foundation.

The telltale signs of a meth lab

• Unusual smells, such as the odour of ammonia, acetone, etc.
• Homes or other buildings with blacked out windows.
• Renters who pay in cash only.
• Unusual amounts of traffic - unusual or suspicious comings and goings.
• Unfriendly and/or secretive neighbours.
• Occupants who seem to have no visible means of support, yet who appear to have lots of money.
• Unusual or apparently excessive numbers of glass containers being brought into the building.
• Excessive garbage, including large numbers of containers for items such as drain cleaner, solvents, lye, iodine, etc.
• Suspicious trash including red-stained coffee filters, bed sheets or towels.
• Garbage left with a neighbour, or neighbours who take their garbage away by themselves.
• Occupants who appear to only leave the building to smoke. 

 excerpted from article sponsored by the Calgary Real Estate Board