RCMP DECLARES WAR ON GROW OPS

For the second time in as many months, the Columbia Valley RCMP has
busted a major marijuana grow operation.

On March 29th, Constables Chris Sheppard and Chris Ralph executed a
search warrant on Dehart Road in Dry Gulch, and discovered a grow
operation, a large quantity of cash, and an estimated 21 pounds of
packaged marijuana with an approximate street value of $44,000.

Two months ago, the RCMP seized $4.5 million worth of marijuana
during a raid north of Wilmer.

RCMP Staff Sergeant Marko Shehovac said he doesn't believe the two
incidents are related.

The drugs confiscated in the January bust were intended to be dealt
elsewhere, while the drugs seized from the Dry Gulch operation could
have been meant for local sale.

"With the information we are receiving, there is an indication the
drugs were staying in the area and much of it was being dealt here in
the valley."

Despite the large size of the earlier bust, Staff Sergeant Shehovac
said this one is more satisfying.

"This is much more of an accomplishment for us in that we are trying
to keep it off the streets," he said.

"It's a little tedious, but it's very rewarding."

The pair of busts is the result of both an increase in grow ops and
an increase in police detection, he said.

"There's a lot out there, some commercial operations and some
mom-and-pop. Some weren't pursued due to a lack of training,
resources, experience," he said. "Now, with the training our members
are getting, they have more expertise in this particular area and our
concentration will be on finding the grow operations and going after
them. We're going to go after all of them."