MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROW SHOW BUSTED

Whether originally destined for the United States or to be smoked in
Kelowna's backyard, some 2,050 pounds of mary-jane wound its way into
police lock-up in the last Kelowna Green Team exercise.

It took seven officers five weeks to accomplish the task, which
included arresting a medical marijuana provider who grossly exceeded
her permit.

"The permits are specific in the amount you are allowed to possess and
grow," said Sgt. Ann Morrison.

Permitted for 15 plants and caught with 67 extra, the officers
confirmed the woman will face charges, along with the others arrested,
as they executed the 21 warrants involved in this latest sweep.

Along with the marijuana, officers removed a small collection of
hunting rifles and other drugs.

Drug runners frequently sell their wares over the border and have been
known to smuggle cocaine back into Canada when they make their
marijuana drop, Insp. Cam Forbes stated, though he could not say
specifically whether the marijuana involved was destined for such an
operation and the entire operation only seized two grams of cocaine.

Another 300 ecstasy tablets, 21 grams of crystal meth, 4.5 grams of
mushrooms and 260 grams of oil were also seized along with the marijuana.

Positioned on a table at the front of the room, the officers had laid
out $29,000 in cash along with an unstated amount of the pot, the
smell of which wafted into the hallway and down the corridor.

Given the plants seized, cops estimated some $5 million of B.C. bud
was removed from Central Okanagan streets.

A total of 28 arrests were made, including 17 men and 11
women.

Officers could not provide even a rough estimate of the amount of
marijuana believed to be circulating in the area.