ALMOST 7,000 POT PLANTS FOUND AT OLD CHICKEN FARM, CITY'S BIGGEST
MARIJUANA BUST

CHILLIWACK - Police pounced on Chilliwack's largest known marijuana growing
operation Wednesday -- 6,708 plants at an old chicken farm on Bailey Road.

With a street value said to be near $1 million, the haul surprised RCMP
officers even after several months of investigation.

"We expected a few thousand plants. We knew it was a large-scale grow, but
this is the largest one we've encountered," Cpl. Sean Sullivan said.

Two 25-year-old men were arrested inside one of two barns on the property.
A loaded .44 magnum handgun reported stolen in Kamloops in January 1994 was
discovered inside the home. The suspects are charged with production of a
controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession
of a restricted firearm with ammunition, and possession of stolen property.

It took police six hours to harvest the entire crop.

Neighbour Arthur Loewen, who operates Pine Meadows tree farm, said he knew
the home's previous tenants and they were upset when an Albertan bought the
property without visiting before forcing the renters to vacate.