RCMP raided a Westsyde home Thursday to find a large marijuana grow operation with makeshift electrical boxes bypassing the meter from B.C. Hydro.

Const. Pat Nagy said the wiring was dangerous and included a burned wire that was shorted out. Police said a man and a six-year-old boy believed to live in the house in the 2500 block of Sandpiper Drive were at home during the raid.

Police seized 176 plants.

There have been no arrests. Ministry of Children and Family Development has been notified.

Nagy described conditions in the home as dangerous due to the presence of mold

“Members had to wear gas masks and white forensic suits to go in.”

Charges of theft of electricity, cultivation and trafficking are pending.

The raid came about from work of a special RCMP team that focuses on prolific offenders and crime sprees, although the suspect sought has no criminal record and was not known to police.

Nagy said neighbours were suspicious of activity but chose not to report to RCMP for fear of retaliation.

“It’s important to know your neighbourhood. If something’s not right, call us.”