THE North Vancouver RCMP seized more than 3,700 marijuana plants from a residence in the 4600-block of Ranger Avenue on Jan. 3.
The sophisticated grow-op was discovered in the basement of an occupied residence and was likely in the process of expanding, according to police.
"They had room for more plants and they also had a cloning station for starter plants," said North Vancouver RCMP spokesman Cpl. Richard De Jong.
The home was likely part of a criminal network, according to De Jong. "They knew what they were doing," he said. "It wasn't for personal use, it was obviously for profit so we are confident that organized crime is involved."
Besides the cultivated setup of lights and timers, the house was also equipped with an ozonator, an air purifier intended to control the odour of the plants, according to De Jong.
"Any time you have an excess of 3,700 plants, you need a pretty elaborate system," he said.
Police and BC Hydro workers dismantled the operation over a day.
The District of North Vancouver has since deemed the residence unsuitable for occupancy because of health and safety violations.
Prior to the police gaining a search warrant, the house had gone relatively unnoticed, according to De Jong, who requested anyone with information to call the North Vancouver RCMP drug section at 604-985-1311.
