RCMP SEIZE 20,000 PLANTS

Summer-Long Investigation Into Area Grow-Ops

More than 20,000 marijuana plants were seized in the region this
summer during an annual investigation into illegal production,
according to the region's top cop.

Though most of the 96 sites were found on Crown land and were
unattended when discovered, search warrants on private property were
executed in three instances and five individuals are facing charges
as a result.

"The amount of marijuana seized during this investigation clearly
speaks to the extreme quantities of marijuana produced in the West
Kootenay-Boundary and throughout British Columbia," said RCMP Insp.
Nick Romanchuk in a news release.

"I have absolutely no doubt that the majority of this marijuana is
distributed and exported by the hands of organized criminal groups to
other markets in Canada and the United States."

Busts were done all over the West Kootenay-Boundary, some in the
Greater Trail area, said Romanchuk, noting Champion Lakes.

Samples were taken at the various sites to determine the average
yield of the plants, some which reached up to 14 feet in height.
Based on the sampling, it's estimated the seized plants would have
produced about 22,570 pounds of bud, which is equivalent to 40
million marijuana cigarettes.

"While we certainly haven't eliminated the marijuana industry, the
effect of removing in excess of 40 million marijuana cigarettes from
the illicit market will have a significant impact on the safety of
our communities," he said.

Illegal production of marijuana is a focus of the Kootenay Boundary
Regional Detachment each summer, with investigations wrapping up at
the end of harvest season.