RCMP BUST GROW OP: VANCOUVER ISLAND SITE A SOPHISTICATED OPERATION

VICTORIA - Two men are facing charges after RCMP discovered what they are
calling Vancouver Island's biggest outdoor grow operation.

"It was huge," said Const. Michelle Hallam. "The guys describe it as two
football fields ... you couldn't see from one end of the grow operation to
the other."

More than 6,700 hundred marijuana plants were discovered growing on the
remote bush property located northwest of Port Hardy on the northeast tip
of Vancouver Island. After investigating the grow operation for weeks, RCMP
officers from all over the north island moved in on the site Sunday
morning. Two men were arrested and firearms and three guard dogs were seized.

The logistics of growing the 6,700 plants, moving them to the site and
maintaining and protecting them until they were ready for harvest were all
strong indications of a sophisticated organization with access to both
money and manpower. "The size is definitely consistent with organized
crime," Const. Hallam said.

The street value of the plants was not released.

The names of the two men arrested have not been released. They were 25- and
26-year-old residents of B.C.'s Lower Mainland. They are charged with
producing a controlled substance. Both have since been released.

Police would not discuss who owned the property, but Const. Hallam did say
she expects more arrests and charges to follow.