POT BUST HUGE

Two men are in custody after police destroyed the largest outdoor
marijuana grow operation ever on Vancouver Island.

More than 6,700 healthy marijuana plants were cut down and destroyed
from a site northwest of Port Hardy on Sunday morning, says Const.
Michelle Hallam of the Port Hardy RCMP.

Hallam says the discovery last year of 1,100 plants on the North
Island was the largest operation on the island.

"This was a very labour-intensive and costly operation and is
consistent with that of organized crime," says Hallam, adding they
believe the plants were grown indoors then transported to the outdoor
site. "It is estimated that organized crime is involved in activities
of up to $6 billion a year in B.C."

The sheer volume of the operation indicates the marijuana was destined
for places outside of Port Hardy, says Hallam.

The grow operation was initially discovered from the air.

"We received information of suspicious activity observed from the
air," explains Hallam. "Further patrols by RCMP observed several
thousand pots of dirt. Our goal is to come into a situation like that
when there are people there. Our information was there were people on
the site so we timed it (the bust) accordingly."

Port Hardy RCMP were assisted by the Vancouver Island Eradication Team
that included three Griffin helicopters, two RCMP helicopters, three
police dog teams and 40 people on the ground from the Department of
National Defence, Port McNeill RCMP, and the Emergency Response Team.
Although the grow operation was inland, marine services monitored for
water activity in the area.

Although firearms were found at the site, the two young men from the
Lower Mainland were arrested without incident. Three guard dogs, one a
rottweiler, were also on the site. Charges of producing a controlled
substance are pending against the two.

Hallam reminds the public to be careful when in the woods.

"If you come across a grow operation, do not proceed through it,"
warns Hallam. "Go around or avoid the area. These people have a lot of
money invested and they will protect that investment.

"If you have GPS, take a reading and report it to the RCMP. You can
report anonymously. With our resources, RCMP can track activity with
only a little information."

Port Hardy RCMP are continuing efforts to eradicate outdoor marijuana
grow operations on the North Island.