GROW-OP BUST ONE OF LARGEST

Police in Kamloops raided a massive marijuana grow operation in a
warehouse in the Laval industrial area late Wednesday, one of the
largest busts in recent city history.

Members of the city's drug section got warrants and searched a
warehouse on Laval Crescent. Inside, officers found more than 1,325
marijuana plants and almost 60 high-intensity growing lights.

"This was a large commercial grow operation and was very well set up,
with very sophisticated lighting and fertilizing equipment," said RCMP
spokesman Cpl. Mike Stewart.

"This was a really substantial one."

Officers sought warrants after information from the public suggested
the warehouse, leased to a Vancouver man, was being used to grow dope.

Police executed the warrant around 11 p.m., and were surprised to
discover the size of the operation. More than 2,500 square feet of
floor space was occupied by marijuana plants and growing equipment.

The grow op had not been in place for long, as the plants were only
about 20 centimetres in size. Value of the marijuana is estimated at
more than $620,000.

Stewart said no one has been charged, although a suspect has been
identified and charges are likely as the investigation proceeds.

More than five officers spent several hours removing the plants and
the equipment from the building, said Stewart. The evidence will be
stored for a while, but it's likely the RCMP will seek a court order
allowing for destruction.

This is the second marijuana bust at a leased warehouse in as many
months.

In early March, police raided another warehouse in the same area and
seized 315 plants.