RCMP 'GREEN TEAM' BUSTS POT GROW-OPS

In one of the biggest busts ever in the region, more than 2,673
marijuana plants were seized during a four-week Cowichan-wide
operation RCMP announced Wednesday.

A total of 36 different grow operations were investigated, including
17 residences spread around Crofton, Chemainus, Duncan, Mill Bay,
Cobble Hill, Lake Cowichan, Youbou and Shawnigan Lake.

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP's Street Crew worked in conjunction with
Shawnigan Lake RCMP, Lake Cowichan RCMP and South Island Traffic
Services to form a Green Team for the operation.

Mounties would not release the street value of the drugs seized. The
effort not only netted drugs and paraphernalia, but nearly two-dozen
suspects as well.

"Numerous people were arrested during the investigations and released
for court dates in early 2010," said North Cowichan/ Duncan RCMP Cpl.
Kevin Day in a news release issued Wednesday. "Charges are being
forwarded on 22 individuals."

The majority of the charges being pursued are for production of a
controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking,
theft of hydro electricity and weapons offences, said Day, noting
that not all the grow operations were completely illegal.

"The North Cowichan/Duncan Green Team also located two licensed
marijuana growing operations which were not adhering to the
conditions on their designated licenses," he said.

Day said that throughout the region police have been active in the
seeking out and dismantling grow-ops and that more arrests and
charges are occurring largely due to the Street Crew's successes as
opposed to increasing amounts of drug activity in the Valley.