POLICE TESTIFY SMALL TOWN OF SEYMOUR ARM WAS DIFFICULT SPOT TO MOUNT DRUG RAID

KAMLOOPS (CP) - An RCMP inspector has testified that logistical
issues made it difficult to mount a drug raid on several houses
suspected of growing marijuana.

Insp. Pat Fogarty said Tuesday that it was tough to access the town
of Seymour Arm where a lack of cellphone service and electricity
didn't help officers. Fogarty was called by the Crown to testify in
B.C. Supreme Court at the judge-alone trial of Shane Brand and David
Ford. The two are charged with production of marijuana and possession
for the purpose of trafficking.

Brand and Ford are among several people charged after more than 100
officers swooped on the community in the early morning of Oct. 4,
2004, to search various properties.

Police, who seized more than 5,000 marijuana plants, believe at least
half the town was involved in some way with growing pot.