$1-MILLION IN POT FOUND IN THE PEACE

Raids on two different grow operations in the Peace last week had police
bagging over $1-million in seized marijuana.

Peace River RCMP announced the take down of two large grow operations in
the Peace River and Grimshaw areas on Aug. 7.

The first grow operation netted over 2,500 mature marijuana plants as well
as a large amount of that had already been harvested.

The second big seize of the day brought in over 1,000 marijuana plants in
various stages of production. Police also seized harvested marijuana and
hashish.

Police said a conservative estimate of the street value of the seized
marijuana would be $1-million.

"Two very, very good seizures were made," says Ken Hainsworth, Staff Sgt.
Peace River RCMP.

He said the quantities of marijuana seized were so large, a dump truck was
used to transport the plants, which have since been destroyed.

Cst. David Brink says "the investigation into the seizures is ongoing" and
could not give out any additional details. As of press time no charges had
been laid.

Brink says this is the biggest bust he has seen and may even be the one of
the top seizures the detachment has made. "It's got to be up there."

Taking over a million worth of the illegal substance off the streets will
have numerous positive spin-offs.

"It's something our kids don't have to be subjected to," says Brink.

"Anything we take off the street is great, even if it's half an ounce."

"It doesn't really break my heart if we make it harder for people to get an
illegal substance."

The Peace River and Grimshaw RCMP detachments along with the Peace River
General Investigation section and the 'Green Team' were involved in the bust.

"A lot of hard work came together and paid off," says Brink. "It was a
group effort, a team effort."

The Green Team is a RCMP and Edmonton Police Service joint force operation
that is dedicated to the eradication of marijuana grow operations.

The last big bust made in the Peace was on Aug. 20, 2002 at rural residence
on Weberville Road.

The crackdown resulted in the seizure of over 200 plants worth an estimated
$200,000.

Robert McPherson and father Fred McPherson were charged with production of
marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

In speaking of both incidents, Brink says this is "proof it's a problem and
we're trying to deal with it."

"It's an ongoing thing and we're going to do everything we can to find them
all and take them apart."