RCMP MARIJUANA BUST BURNS 2,000

Two Thousand Mariguana Plants Up In Smoke After Seizure Near Arborg

Interlake Spectator -- It was just a matter of time before police got wind
of a major major grow operation in the north-central Interlake. The call
came in June 21. It was a citizen tip -- one of the kind that sometimes
lead down blind alleys, with little to show but a drive in the countryside.

This time was different. Police would raid a marijuana grow operation they
estimate could have grown into a multi-million-dollar illegal business.

East Interlake RCMP constables Mike Lutley and Daniel Hemmerling would
uncover one of the largest indoor marijuana grow operations in the East
Interlake area.

"We got the tip, acted quickly on it and it paid off," said Const. Mike
Lutley. "There are an estimated 2,000 plants."

"The grow operation was found about 14 miles northeast of Arborg in a rural
area," said Cpl. Glenn Syme, of the Arborg Community Office of East
Interlake RCMP. "The information was received from a concerned citizen."

When RCMP arrived on the scene, there was one male working at the site. He
was detained while the plants and equipment were confiscated. Growing
trays, irrigation, lights and transformers are being held as evidence.

Larger grow containers held 925 maturing plants and about 1,000 others in
various stages of growth. All were emptied into garbage bags and
subsequently destroyed.

East Interlake detachment spokesman Cpl. Wes Olsen said the grow operation
was found in its infancy as none of the plants had matured enough to become
saleable on the street.

"If this thing had been running full-fledged, it had the potential to be a
large operation," said Olsen. "Given that a high-quality plant has an
potential income of $1,000, a $2 million estimated value is misleading."

Olsen said the fact that a citizen tipped police off is a good sign to
others that the public is taking a proactive approach to drugs within the
community.

"The Arborg office is doing a wonderful job," Olsen said. "Good policing
and diligence is getting drugs off the streets in Arborg."

A police investigation continues. As of press time, no charges had been laid.