POT GROW OP BUST RESULTS IN 49 ARRESTS

Mission RCMP arrested 49 people after executing a search warrant in
Silverdale and finding a massive marijuana grow operation.

According to police, one male was arrested in the home's bedroom with a
loaded hand gun nearby when Mounties arrived.

After the rest of the house was secured, members entered a large two-storey
barn and found 48 workers in the middle of harvesting more than 3,000
marijuana plants.

Mission RCMP Cpl. Murray Power said a very elaborate and high tech hydro
bypass system was set up which ran 12 industrial-size air conditioners and
the 230, 1,000 watt lights inside the growing rooms.

"This is one of the best busts I've seen," said Insp. Ted Upshaw. "This is
the most people arrested at one time in one spot I've ever seen in my career."

"The electrical consumption for the lights alone was equivalent to the
consumption of 70 average households," said Power.

The majority of the 49 arrested people did not know exactly where they
were. Power said workers were brought to the property in the back of a cube
van and returned after their shift. Charges are pending, he added, but it
will take longer as police are trying to determine responsibility.

Workers were from all areas of the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland and
even included a couple mother and daughter workers.

The investigation continues.