LAKE RCMP UP TO THEIR EARS IN SEIZED POT

Dreams of riches from illegal crops went to pot after police nabbed
about three-quarters of a million dollars of marijuana in two separate
incidents in the Lake Cowichan area.

The RCMP reported they discovered eight grow sites in isolated areas
off logging roads between the lake and southwest to Nitinat Lake.

Some of the plants were well over six feet high, as demonstrated by a
photo of six-foot-plus Cst. Danny Butler standing amongst one crop and
having to look up to see the tops of plants. Police said it was
apparent the same person or people operated at least six of the sites.

In all, police pulled out more than 700 large plants and say a
conservative estimate of the haul is in the $700,000 range.

No arrests were made in the incident.

In a separate haul, police pulled over a pickup truck about 2 a.m. on
September 28 when the officer said he smelled a strong odour of pot.

Police discovered about 30 budding plants in the box of the
truck.

The plants were seized and the driver and lone occupant of the truck
was arrested and is now facing several drug-related charges.