GREEN TEAM BUSTS UP GANG DRUG PROFITS

A special RCMP Green Team based in Kelowna has busted up 25 marijuana
grow operations in five weeks, some of which police believe were
connected to organized crime.

"As a result of the green team's effort 15 males and seven females
will face charges of production of a controlled substance for the
purpose of trafficking. Charges against others are still under
investigation," said RCMP Insp. Cam Forgues at a press conference
Tuesday afternoon, when police showed off some of the drugs, guns and
cash they had seized.

"The grows were located in both rural and urban areas, some on
acreages. Several were located in affluent family neighbourhoods,"
said Forgues.

"There were hydro electrical bypasses on 11 of the grow sites that
will result in additional charges of theft of hydro.

"Also, charges of unsafe storage of firearms will result in connection
with the seizure of firearms in some of the sites."

Of particular concern to the police was evidence of children living on
site at six of the grow operations.

The nine members of the Green Team were temporarily assembled from the
Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country RCMP detachments.

The RCMP received civilian assistance from FortisBC, B.C. Hydro, the
province's ministry of child and family services and local electrical
contractors.

The team executed warrants at 10 West Kelowna locations, eight in
Kelowna, six in Lake Country and one in Lumby.

A total of 1,774 plants were seized, which, police say, when processed
could have produced 1,520 kilograms of dried marijuana. Police say the
seizures have an estimated value of $8.6 million.

Police also seized $50,000 in cash and 18 firearms.

Four of those were pellet rifles, though most were hunting firearms,
including several .303 caliber rifles and a semiautomatic shotgun.

No handguns were seized however.

"That did surprise me," said Forgues.

Police believe most of the marijuana was destined for export and that
organized crime was involved with at least some of the operations.

"B.C. is well-known for producing high quality marijuana that commands
a premium price. It is very apparent that Kelowna and the area is
clearly connected to the illegal drug network that is controlled by
criminal organizations," said Forgues.

At one of the sites, police seized boards stamped with a logo for a
well-known gang, the Kingpins, which police said were used for
printing T-shirts.

The last time the Green Team was brought together was two years ago,
according to Forgues.

He added that it will be assembled again in the future when the RCMP
has the information and resources to warrant it.

Asked if he thought the Green Team had made an impact on the number of
marijuana grow operations in the area, Forgues relied, "this is at
least a temporary dent."