COPS REAP WHAT POT GROWERS HAVE SOWN

It's harvest time, and South Okanagan RCMP have cashed in on the season's
crops several times in recent days.

Several hundred thousand dollars in marijuana was seized during four
separate busts this week and last.

On Tuesday afternoon, Penticton RCMP received a report of a break-in in the
1100 block of Redlands Road in the city.

A man was seen leaving the residence. When officers arrived, they found the
home was not secure and that it had likely been broken into.

It appeared the man seen leaving might have broken into the home to steal
marijuana growing inside. He was gone when police arrived.

Police searched the home and seized about 50 marijuana plants. The
residents were not at home and the matter is still under investigation.

Earlier in the week, Penticton RCMP seized 50 plants at a residence in the
2200 block of Naramata Road following a complaint. Most of the plants were
smaller, and their value is estimated at about $15,000.

Police dealt with one person at the residence.

The matter remains under investigation and charges have not yet been laid,
RCMP Staff Sgt. Pete McLaren said Tuesday.

Farther south, police in Oliver seized 123 kilograms of marijuana and
processing equipment in the community's industrial district on Friday.

RCMP raided a business in the industrial park and found the property set up
for drying and processing various forms of marijuana and its derivatives.

Charges of production and possession of a controlled substance for the
purpose of trafficking are being considered against a 50-year-old Oliver
resident and a 47-year-old man from Edmonton.

Police in Keremeos report similar criminal activity.

On Oct. 17, RCMP searched a residence on 10th Avenue. They seized more than
400 marijuana plants, dried pot, growing equipment, drug paraphernalia, and
a firearm and ammunition.

At the time of the search, three people in the residence were taken into
custody. They were a 44-year-old Keremeos resident and a 34-year-old man
and 42-year-old woman, both from Alberta.

All were released pending their appearance in court Dec. 16.

Keremeos RCMP will recommend charges of production of a controlled
substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of
trafficking and firearms-related offences.