Marijuana found in British Prop

WEST VANCOUVER
Police are crediting an alert
neivhbbor for a tip leading to
ao murijuana growing opera-
lien ala British Properties
house in West Vancouver,
By Surj Rattan

News Reporter

Menibers of the West Van-
couver Police and North Vin-
couver ROMP drug sections raid:
ed a house at $75 Craigmont 01,
at approximately 6 pam. on Tues:
day.

Inside, the police found an
elaborate marijuana yrowing
operation. The police seized 288
Marijuana plants and about 4.5 ke
(10 lbs.) of marijuana buds worth
an oestimated street value oof
$350,000,

Police also recovered 17 lights
used to grow the marijuana.

Guy L. Johanson, 35, of West
Vancouver, 5 charged with
possession of a narcotic for the
purpose of trafficking and
cultivating a narcotic.

Lee S. Serpa, 44, of Vancouver,
is charged with possession of a
narcotic for the purpose of trat-
ficking.

The two are scheduled to ap-
pear in West Vancouver provinenl

court June 13.

West Vancouser Police Const,
Jarinie Gibson sitid Officers wete
aheted Co Che aaraidiu @roawing,
opentiion by ag nemhbor of the
House The tipster noeticed
“yUspretous acti ity”

Police bemin to warch the
Hobse,

"On Fuesduy they (drug squid)
observed: a Sehiche miking a ran
from the residence with a supply
{of marijuana). They nontied our
patrol section to pull it over while
they continued their surverlhinee.”
said Gibson,

He said oiwe constables on
patral spotted the vebicke ae the
comet of Taylor Way and Marine
Drive, “Fhe police followed — it
across the Liens Gate Bridge und
alony the Stanfey Park causeway.
The car was stopped near West
Georgia Street and Deaman
Avenue in Vancouver,

“He had ao hege quantity of
inarijuana in the vehicle. A search
warrant was executed on the ctysi-
denee later that same day which
resulted in the seizure,’’ said Gib-
son,

He added that police found a
Jarge plastic garbage bay filled
with marijuana buds in the vehi-
cle. Gibson said) the marijuana
bud as the part of the drug sold by
dealers.

NV marine school
head axed by board

THE PRINCIPAL and chief executive officer of North
Vancouver-based Pacific Marine Training Institute (PMT)
and one of its instructors have been fired by die PMTI

board of directors.

Arthur Hacbidges PMTE acting
board chairman, confirmed Wed-
nesday that Bros Braconnier, the
school's principal and CEO, was
fired April.

Braconnier was with the marine
institute when it opened on the
waterfront in L9gt.

Harbidge said a PMTI instruc-
tor, who he would not name, was
fired by the board in December.

Harbidge would not disclose ihe
reasons for the firing of the in-
structor. The PMT faculty
association has since initiated a
complaint of wrongful dismissal
and the termination is now the
subject of an arbitration hearing,
according to Harbidge.

A spokesman for the Ministry
of Advanced Cducation, Training
and fechnology. the provincial
department governing the local
post-secondary institution, said
Braconnier was fired) over a
discrepancy in his credentials.

vt
2

By Surj Rattan
News Reporter

“The president: was) suspended
in mid-April pending a review of
his credentials by the PMTi
board,’ said Shawn Robins,
director of public affairs for the
ministry.

But said Harbidge. “He was
advised on April 5 that he was be-
ing terminated for cause. Mfr.
Bracounier has the right to file for
‘ssonutih dismissal, but he hasn't
done so.”

He said that as far as the board
of directors is concerned, Bracon-
nier’s firing will not be reviewed.

Uarbidge said it would not be
right for him to comment on the
reasons for the firings.

“We understand the role the
media has to play ia this, but it’s
inappropriate for us to comment

See PMTI page 5

SATURN SW? |

For 1993 GM adds a stylish
| new station wagon to its
lineup.

EARTH H.0[:

Cold, wet excuse for May
docs not have to be cause
for garden alarm.

WEST VANCOUVER Police Const. lan Craib displays some of the $350,000 worth
of marijuana seized Tuesday in a joint drug raid by the West Vancouver Police
and North Vancouver RCMP drug sections. A neighbor notified police of
‘suspicious activity’ at the Gritish Properties home.

Fi cores on Ys *

2E ACHING EVERY DOOR ON THE NORTH SHORE SINCE 1969