Pubdate: Thu, 15 Oct 2009
Source: Arrow Lakes News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Arrow Lakes News
Contact:  http://www.arrowlakesnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2309
Author: Keith Powell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

GROW-OPS BUSTED IN WEST KOOTENAY / BOUNDARY AMOUNTS TO 11,500
POUNDS

Over the summer months this year, the RCMP's Kootenay Boundary
Regional Detachment investigation section led intensive investigations
into outdoor marijuana grow operations, resulting in the seizure of
14,130 plants from 88 sites across the West Kootenay / Boundary areas.

A press release from the regional detachment estimated the wholesale
price of the marijuana, based on current value of "marihuana bud in
the West Kootenay" to range anywhere from $14.9 million to $36.7
million. "The street value of the seized marihuana if sold in
individual cigarette quantities would equate to approximately $77.5
million," the release states.

The regional detachment conducted searched with aid of officers
throughout the region as well as an RCMP helicopter from Kelowna. In
the release, the detachment states in a conservative estimate that
they prevented approximately 11,500 pounds of marijuana bud from
entering the illegal market.

"The majority of the marihuana was seized from Crown land," the
release states. "In one instance, three persons were apprehended in an
outdoor marihuana grow operations with charges of production of a
controlled substance being recommended to Federal Crown Counsel. In
another instance, three persons are facing charges of production of a
controlled substance after a search warrant was executed on private
property near Kaslo."

The detachment states the profits of the illicit marijuana industry
"fuel activities of organized criminal groups that bring untold harm,
pain and suffering to our communities," and regionalization of
policing services in the West Kootenay / Boundary areas have allowed
the detachment to utilize resources more effectively to target
"organized criminal activity."

"It is no secret that criminal activity does not restrict itself to
municipal boundaries or electoral areas," the release states. "While a
criminal group may reside in one location, the effects of that group's
activities will have a far reaching impact on surrounding communities.
By structuring the police resources in the West Kootenay / Boundary to
fall under one command structure we are able to more efficiently
target those organized crime influences on our communities." 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D