Hamilton police raid notorious Stoney Creek grow-op
Hamilton police have shut down a notorious marijuana grow-op in upper Stoney Creek that has given neighbours grief for years.
City dump trucks were still hauling away seized plants when a reporter dropped by the property at 286 and 288 Green Mountain Rd. E. at about 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 10.
Neighbours declined interview requests, although one indicated police executed a raid at 4 a.m. that day after getting the necessary warrants.
The kingpin is still at large and we don't know who these people know," the neighbour said in an email.
Neither police nor city staff on hand for the seizure would comment.
Efforts to get details on the quantity of plants confiscated or charges against the property's owner were unsuccessful at deadline.
Const. Krista-Lee Ernst, who handles media relations for Hamilton police, said she anticipated those details will be released this week.
Investigators are working through the investigation at this time," she said in a Nov. 10 email. An update will be provided when the investigation is concluded."
On the city's end, senior communications officer Michelle Shantz said Hamilton police led the bust and would be the appropriate contact for any questions, including how many dump trucks were involved and where the seized pot went.
Stoney Creek Coun. Brad Clark, who represents the area, said he'd raised the grow-op with bylaw staff and police after getting complaints about odour and lighting issues from several residents.
I've heard from staff that the raid cleaned everything out, so there's nothing left in the building," he said.
Neighbours told the Stoney Creek News in May the skunky stench from the grow-op's pot plants had been unbearable during the summer, making it impossible to enjoy their backyards.
They also expressed concern about the grow-op's unsightliness - debris was piled along one fence line - and the problems it attracted.
The latter included a neighbouring home being hit by bullets early in the morning on Easter Monday four years ago, although the grow-op's owners denied the shooting had anything to do with them.
STORY BEHIND THE STORY: We were tipped off that police had raided a notorious marijuana grow-op in upper Stoney Creek on Nov. 10 and wanted to know more.