RCMP HARVEST $36M WORTH OF MARIJUANA

The Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment (KBRD) RCMP have announced
the seizure of over 14,000 marijuana plants from 88 sites throughout
the region this summer amounting to an estimated $14.9 to $36.7
million worth of product off the streets.

The General Investigation Section of the KBRD RCMP found a majority of
the crops on crown land and several plantations in the Trail and
Rossland area.

"There were a number of techniques used including tip-offs, helicopter
surveillance and good old-fashioned police work," said Inspector Nick
Romanchuk, of the KBRD RCMP.

"We can't be naive and think that we have seized every plant out there
but we certainly have made an impact."

RCMP say 14,130 plants weighing in at approximately 11,500 lb. were
seized, equivalent to 15.5 million marijuana cigarettes.

Three persons were arrested on crown land and another three on private
property near Kaslo and have been charged with production of a
controlled substance.

Romanchuk said the seized product is destroyed by incineration and
other methods, some say the amount of money going 'up in smoke' is an
example how taxed marijuana could solve many financial issues in B.C.
and across Canada.

"A lot of money is lost on what could be a taxable income for the
government, this money could be spent on health care, education and
other issues that need the funding," said Jody Emery, B.C. Green Party
policing critic and wife of marijuana activist Marc Emery who is in
jail awaiting extradition to the U.S. on selling marijuana seeds to
Americans.

"If the government controlled the market it could drive out the need
for illegal operations, right now gangs are profiting off of
prohibition."