MAJOR SUMMER BUD HAUL FOR MOUNTIES

Local RCMP seized more than 10,000 kilograms of marijuana over the
summer from outdoor grow-ops, a haul the regional commander calls
"significant."

"I have absolutely no doubt 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," Insp. Nick Romanchuk
said in a release.

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

Romanchuk says they grabbed more than 20,000 plants - some more than
four meters high - from 96 outdoor sites throughout the West
Kootenay-Boundary, the majority on Crown land. Three search warrants
were also executed on private property and five people are facing charges.

The news release also quoted Kaslo mayor Greg Lay, a professional
forester, on environmental damage outdoor grow-ops can cause.

"When water is diverted from its natural course, as is often the case
with the man made irrigation systems. instability and failure of the
nearby slopes can result," he said. "These failures place our roads,
streams, and other water resources at risk and cause considerable
damage to our natural environment."

Romanchuk says he approached Lay about including the
comment.

"I like to include other perspectives in news releases. Otherwise it's
just me jumping up and down. People get to hear from someone else who
many have some insight."

Although it's often suggested police are wasting their time dealing
with grow-ops, Romanchuk says not everyone feels that way.

"When we go out every year to our communities and seek their policing
priorities, in almost every instance they tell us they want us to
focus on the drug trade."

While he says this summer's busts made a dent in supply, he
acknowledges it is only a fraction of what's out there.

It's the second year local RCMP have targeted out door grow ops. Last
year they seized more than 14,000 plants from 88 sites.