HYDROPONIC HAUL — Constable A. L. (Al) Buck, Dufferin OPP’s Community Services Officer and detachment commander Staff Sergeant Water Kolodziechuk stand behind a portion of the drugs and equipment seized from an unoccupied Grand Valley residence Dec. 1. The raid led to seizure of 449 marijuana plants in various stages of growth and an array of equipment ranging from fans, ductwork and shades to special light bulbs used in the hydroponic grow op. Charges are pending.Acting on a tip, Ontario Provincial Police armed with a search warrant discovered that a Grand Valley house was the scene of a large hydroponic marijuana grow operation. Members of the OPP’s Dufferin detachment and the force’s Drug Enforcement Section seized 449 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, with an eventual street value of about $450,000, and about $50,000 worth of hydroponics equipment including special light bulbs, duct work and fans.

Detachment commander Staff Sgt. Walter Kolodziechuk said the unoccupied house at 31 Fife Road was full of mould, an apparent result of the high humidity required for such grow ops.

The police investigation is continuing, with those responsible facing charges of production of marijuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking and theft of more than $5,000 worth of electricity.

The raid was made just nine days after a similar seizure in East Luther Grand Valley involving 569 plants and a similar quantity of hydroponics equipment. Craig Ostopovich, 38, of East Luther is to appear in an Orangeville court on January 9 on charges of marijuana production, possession for the purpose of trafficking and theft of electricity.

Detective Constable Mike Bednarczyk of the Huronia Combined Forces Drug Unit said that over the last five years “the Dufferin OPP area has investigated a steady occurrence rate of 10 to 15 grow houses per year.”

He also indicated that five or six harvests can be yielded from a single grow house each year. This was possible if bedrooms are used to grow the starter plants, which then are transplanted into a main basement grow area, creating an actual harvest every eight to 10 weeks.