Pubdate: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 Source: Salmon Arm Observer (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Salmon Arm Observer Contact: http://www.saobserver.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1407 Author: Roger Knox GROW OP BUST HIT REGION It was a busy weekend for Shuswap RCMP in the ongoing battle against drugs. Charges are being recommended against a 25-year-old Grandview Bench Road resident after Salmon Arm RCMP conducted a search of a home Thursday. Officers executed a search warrant and, after checking the property and buildings, seized over 1,800 marijuana plants at various stages of growth, marijuana growing equipment and a quantity of dried marijuana bud. Charges of production of a scheduled substance and possession of a scheduled substance for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act are being recommended on the 25-year-old male occupant of the home. Five Chase members, assisted by four members of the Kamloops District RCMP, executed a search warrant at a house on Squilax Anglemont Road, near Scotch Creek, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, and located about 22 grams of cocaine, 1.4 kilograms of marijuana and 20 marijuana plants. In addition, two sawed off firearms, a .12 gauge shotgun and a .22 calibre semiautomatic rifle were seized, along with over $2,500 in cash. Five people, including two juveniles, were in the home and arrested. Later that day, at 2:20 p.m., the same RCMP officers - four of whom volunteered to work on their day off without pay to conduct these searches - executed another warrant at a location on Anglemont Way, near Celista. RCMP seized 195 small marijuana plants, about three kilograms of marijuana bud and a rifle from the home, and arrested a 62-year-old local male and a 47-year-old local female. All persons arrested have charges pending under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in addition to firearms related charges. All have been released on court documents requiring their attendance in court in Chase. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin