Pubdate: Tue, 20 Mar 2001
Source: Penticton Herald (Canada)
Copyright: 2001 - Horizon Operations (B.C.) Ltd.
Contact:  101-186 Naniamo Ave. West Penticton, B.C., Canada, V2A 1N4
Fax: 1-250-492-2403
Website: http://www.ok.bc.ca/PH/index.htm
Author: Donna Henningson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

FOREST OF POT SEIZED

Raids On Indoor Grow Operations In South Okanagan Net Mounties 4,000 
Marijuana Plants

A series of raids has netted local police enough pot for dealers to supply 
each young person in the region from kindergarten to Grade 12 with 142 
marijuana cigarettes.

RCMP from five South Okanagan and Similkameen detachments uncovered 3,950 
marijuana plants and growing equipment in an operation that saw 19 searches 
conducted in 15 days.

"I expect we will continue these kinds of operations in future and won't 
announce them," said Penticton RCMP Staff Sgt. Pete McLaren.

"We have a number of open investigation files we didn't have a chance to 
get to," added team leader Terry Jacklin.

During a media conference Monday at the Penticton detachment, McLaren and 
Jacklin outlined details of the raids that ended March 16.

The grow operations were uncovered largely on rental properties in 
Penticton, Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Princeton and Westbank.

A total of 24 people were arrested - 19 men and five women. They face 
charges of production of a controlled substance and possession for the 
purpose of trafficking.

Two men remain in custody.

One of the men, Mark Menton, was on bail after being charged with 
production and possession for trafficking. The second, Robert Burns 
Thompson, is accused of being involved with three of the operations in 
Penticton, Okanagan Falls and Westbank.

Penticton and Oliver saw the most busts by far, with six in Penticton and 
seven in Oliver.

Two Penticton operations were found on Upper Bench Road and one each was 
found in the Pineview area, on Dauphin Place, Eckhardt Avenue and 
Government Street.

Some of the people arrested also face charges related to the seizure of 
seven firearms, including a 22-calibre rifle. Other items found at the 
premises that are believed to have been used as weapons to protect the 
operations included knives, machetes, bear spray, baseball bats, axe 
handles and axes.

At the scene of the busts, $10,000 in stolen property was recovered, 
including a Bombardier Sea-Doo personal watercraft and trailer and about 
$2,000 dollars in cash.

The RCMP's South Okanagan Marijuana Grow Eradication Team is in its second 
year.

While the number of plants seized is up slightly from the 3,781 seized last 
year in 23 busts, the most recent operation netted four kilograms of 
product ready for sale compared to 16.5 kg last year.

The operation also unearthed fewer weapons, though police are seeing more 
items used as weapons.

Police learned of grow locations mainly through tips left with Crime 
Stoppers, said McLaren.

Grow operations are a continuing problem, with police hoping to raised 
public awareness.

Landlords need to be aware of what their tenants are up to, police say.

Educating young people as to the danger of drugs is also key. This year, 
for example, the RCMP-sponsored DARE drug awareness program will reach 
Grade 6 students.

"We are not going to get rid of the drug problem through enforcement," 
McLaren said. "We want to reduce the demand for the product. That's the 
ultimate goal."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager