20,000 POT PLANTS, 50 GUNS SEIZED IN SEYMOUR ARM RAID

Police have seized 20,000 marijuana plants and 50 weapons from marijuana
grow operations that residents in tiny, isolated Seymour Arm say have
existed for years.

RCMP from the combined forces special enforcement unit as well as Interior
detachments descended on the Shuswap Lake community Tuesday, executing 28
search warrants and arresting 16 men

Fewer than 100 people live in Seymour Arm year-round. Police estimate that
about half were involved in growing marijuana and say the drug was bound
for export to the U.S.

As of last night, police had confiscated plants from 14 properties as well
as shotguns, pistols and an assault rifle, most of which were loaded.

The grow-ops ranged from underground bunkers to sophisticated multi-level
factory-like facilities with nurseries and packaging areas. Also seized
were grow lights and generators, including one that police say could easily
power an eight-storey building. That generator was used to provide power to
a 4,500-plant grow-op.

The arrested men have been released on promises to appear in court. Charges
are pending.

Seymour Hotel owner Julian Gajewski said the raids came as no surprise and
he's relieved to see police finally taking notice.

"We are very happy about this," he said. "We wanted to live normal."

Gajewski, who bought the hotel 20 years ago, said Seymour Arm used to be a
quiet place, but problems began a decade ago when people, mostly from the
Lower Mainland, began buying up relatively inexpensive land.