DRUG RAID TURNS UP MEDICAL MARIJUANA PERMITS

Health Canada permits for medicinal marijuana use were not enough to
keep two men from being arrested at an Okanagan Falls property.

The Penticton RCMP Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on an
Allendale Lake Road home and outbuilding on Monday. Officers seized
about 200 marijuana plants they say resembled "small Christmas trees
as opposed to mere plants."

Police also located more than 30 pounds of drying marijuana bud, along
with a loaded .357 Magnum handgun and 30/30 calibre rifle. Two men,
aged 39 and 40, were also found inside the shop and arrested.

"What makes this file stand out compared to the usual marijuana grow
operation busts is that there were three Health Canada permits
allowing three individuals to grow and possess substantial amounts of
marijuana at this location for medical purposes," said Cpl. Brad Myhre
with the RCMP Drug Task Force.

However, Mhyre said the permits did not belong to the two men
arrested, and the three individuals named in the permits had "tenuous
links" to the property.

He said the amount of marijuana seized "greatly exceeded what the
holders of these permits were allowed to possess, and also greatly
exceeded what would be reasonable amounts intended for personal
consumption for three individuals who might have legitimate needs to
consume marihuana for medicinal purposes."?

The two males were later released to appear in court in April to face
anticipated charges of possession of a controlled substance for the
purpose of trafficking, production of a controlled substance,
possession of a restricted weapon and unsafe storage of firearms.