POLICE BUST THREE DRUG HOUSES

Six people were arrested as Vernon RCMP shut down three drug
operations Wednesday.

Search warrants were executed at residences on Bellevue Drive, L&A
Road and Silver Star Road.

"These searches were a result of police investigation," said Gord
Molendyk, with the Safe Communities Unit.

"There is some connection between the three residences."

It's also believed these searches are related to recent busts on Old
Kamloops and Apollo roads.

Three of the individuals arrested -- two from Surrey and one from the
U.S. -- were scheduled to appear in court Thursday on charges under
the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act.

The other three individuals arrested were released to appear in court
at a future date.

A small amount of drugs was found at the Bellevue Drive residence
while there were 566 marijuana plants at the L&A Road home and 453
plants at the one on Silver Star Road.

Electricity bypass activities were also discovered at the L&A and
Silver Star Road homes.

An 11-year-old child was removed by social services from the L&A Road
home.

"She was a dependent of one of the occupants," said Cst. Todd Bowden,
with the RCMP's drug unit.

From this house alone, police took away 11 garbage bags full of
marijuana plants, as well as grow equipment, such as lights and
electrical outlets.

The City of Vernon has regulations that can shut down drug production
facilities for safety reasons, but the rules won't apply here.

"Because two of the homes are in the regional district, the city's
bylaws don't apply," said Molendyk.

While authorities are pleased with the crackdown Wednesday, they admit
grow-ops are prevalent in the area.

"These three are just the tip of the iceberg, we know that," said
Molendyk.

"It (drug trade) is huge across the province."