POT HARVEST PROVES LUCRATIVE

More than 1,000 marijuana plants were harvested from the Powell River
area recently. The RCMP Island District Drug Section and members of
Canadian Forces Base Edmonton's military teamed up during the last
week of August to eradicate several outdoor marijuana grow sites.

Efforts were concentrated in Powell River, the Central Island area,
and the Gulf Islands, where the illegal crops are known to be quite
plentiful, said Constable Andy Rickaby, a spokesman for the RCMP drug
awareness service.

Somewhere between 1,100 and 1,500 plants from the Powell River area
were destroyed during "operation marijuana eradication." This year's
total for all three areas was in excess of 8,000 plants.

"Powell River was definitely worthy of some attention. It was quite
lucrative," said Rickaby.

Most of the plants harvested weren't yet mature. And most came from
the Powell River area, not Texada Island.

Rickaby said sources tell the police that the majority of the outdoor
pot is destined for local streets.

"That should translate into a significant reduction in the amount of
the drug getting into the hands of some of our most vulnerable
populations, such as our youth," he said.

A mature plant in full bud can yield up to two pounds of smokable
product. There are approximately 50 to 100 joints in one ounce of
dried marijuana. As well, said Rickaby, today's more potent marijuana
has been linked to respiratory problems, immune system depression,
memory loss, dependency, and a host of other health-related problems.

The operation took place under a memorandum of understanding signed in
1999 which allows the military to support the RCMP in its drug
investigations.