More than 2,100 marijuana plants from about 30 outdoor grow operations were destroyed by Sunshine Coast RCMP during a three-day raid on Nelson Island last week.
"During the three-day project, the RCMP helicopter, RCMP boat, fisheries boat and RCMP all-terrain vehicle were used to transport eradication teams and conduct water, ground and air patrol in the area," said Const. Andy Cook.
Police know there is pot being grown regularly on the island and conducted a similar raid last year where 1,500 marijuana plants were destroyed.
But Cpl. Michel Grondin says it's been hard to pin down owners or workers connected with the grow ops on the island.
"These grow ops are on Crown land, so there's no owner attached to the land. Whether there will be workers there is hit and miss. It's difficult," said Grondin.
Last year's raid on Nelson Island ended with no arrests, and so far this raid has not produced any arrests.
"We are continuing our investigation though, and we're doing interviews with people who live on the island full time or who are seasonal residents," said Grondin.
He asks anyone with information on the Nelson Island grow ops to call the RCMP detachment at 604-885-2266 or to call Crimestoppers at 604-885-TIPS.
The pot plants that were found on Nelson Island were all cut down and left to wither in the sun, Grondin said.
"At this time of year they are not producing any bud yet. They are just leaves, basically, so we can just cut them down and lay them out to wither away when it's this hot," he said.
During the investigation on the island, RCMP found an outdoor greenhouse with 543 marijuana plants where plants are grown until they are hardy enough to be planted outside. "Some of the marijuana plants seized were approximately seven feet tall and could be expected to produce over three pounds of marijuana bud," added Cook. "A pound of marijuana bud sells for between $2,000 and $2,500."
Cook stressed that people found growing pot have more to worry about than just a fine or short sentence. It could also mean having property or land taken away.
"Property that could potentially be seized could include land (and any buildings on it) being used to grow marijuana, vehicles (boats, ATVs, motorcycles, cars and trucks) being used to tend to crops and any equipment being used to tend to crops," said Cook.
He also asked the public to come forward with any information that could help make an arrest in the Nelson Island grow operations.
"Remember, we want your information, not necessarily your name," he noted.
