Pubdate: Fri, 22 Oct 2010
Source: Trail Daily Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Trail Daily Times
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/scQykWmX
Website: http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/traildailytimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1043
Author: Val Rossi

RCMP SEIZE 20,000 PLANTS

Summer-Long Investigation Into Area Grow-Ops

More than 20,000 marijuana plants were seized in the region this 
summer during an annual investigation into illegal production, 
according to the region's top cop.

Though most of the 96 sites were found on Crown land and were 
unattended when discovered, search warrants on private property were 
executed in three instances and five individuals are facing charges 
as a result.

"The amount of marijuana seized during this investigation clearly 
speaks to the extreme quantities of marijuana produced in the West 
Kootenay-Boundary and throughout British Columbia," said RCMP Insp. 
Nick Romanchuk in a news release.

"I have absolutely no doubt that the majority of this marijuana is 
distributed and exported by the hands of organized criminal groups to 
other markets in Canada and the United States."

Busts were done all over the West Kootenay-Boundary, some in the 
Greater Trail area, said Romanchuk, noting Champion Lakes.

Samples were taken at the various sites to determine the average 
yield of the plants, some which reached up to 14 feet in height. 
Based on the sampling, it's estimated the seized plants would have 
produced about 22,570 pounds of bud, which is equivalent to 40 
million marijuana cigarettes.

"While we certainly haven't eliminated the marijuana industry, the 
effect of removing in excess of 40 million marijuana cigarettes from 
the illicit market will have a significant impact on the safety of 
our communities," he said.

Illegal production of marijuana is a focus of the Kootenay Boundary 
Regional Detachment each summer, with investigations wrapping up at 
the end of harvest season.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart