The Sunshine Coast RCMP Street Crew has been busy this month targeting marijuana grow operations in all areas of the Coast.
Police have investigated more than 50 tips and executed four search warrants. More than 700 marijuana plants were seized from those four operations.
Const. Andy Cook said police anticipate there will be further arrests and search warrants in the coming weeks and months resulting from the investigations undertaken during this project.
On April 9, members of the Street Crew and general duties section executed a search warrant at a home on Mermaid Street in Sechelt.
Police located a small marijuana grow operation, seizing 66 plants and grow equipment. Police are still seeking an adult male suspect in connection with the bust. Once arrested, the suspect will face charges for production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
The next day, on April 10, police executed a warrant at a home on Leek Road in Roberts Creek.
Cook said police located a large, multi-stage marijuana grow operation in the home and in a large shed.
"The shed appeared to have been built specifically to house the marijuana grow operation and contained a hydroponically fed system and air-cooled high intensity grow lamps," Cook said.
Police seized 89 plants that were beginning to bud. Police also found a vegetative and clone room in the home, as well as a drying room. More than 200 marijuana plants, dried marijuana bud and six rifles were seized.
Cook said two adult men were released at the scene, as there were young children who required care. The men will be summonsed at a later date to face charges of production of marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and firearms offenses.
On April 13, members of the Street Crew observed a rental truck at a home on Langdale Road in Langdale that was the subject of an investigation into a marijuana grow operation.
"Police arrested the adult male driver and an adult female, who was following in a second vehicle after they left the home," Cook said. "Police found 29 potted marijuana plants and two large light shields designed to hold high intensity grow lights."
He said police obtained a search warrant for the home and arrested a second adult male, locating a grow operation inside.
Police seized 73 plants, dried and packaged marijuana, a scale and a large amount of marijuana growing equipment, including an air-cooled lighting system.
All three suspects will appear in Sechelt provincial court on July 6 to face charges of production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
The final bust occurred April 14 when police executed a search warrant at a home on Garden Bay Road in Garden Bay.
Police located more than 200 marijuana plants in various stages of growth in a large garage and a room inside the home. Police also seized a scale and growing equipment.
An adult male was arrested at the scene and released to appear in court on July 6 to face charges of production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
"Police have been actively investigating all marijuana grow operation tips that have been received and will continue to do so," Cook said. " A normal investigation into a tip on a marijuana grow operation will take at least a month to gather all the necessary information and exhaust all investigative avenues. Some investigations into marijuana grow operations can take over a year, as in the case of the bunker grow operation located on Gambier Island in February."
Police are encouraging active participation from the public with tips and information. If you have information on a marijuana grow operation call RCMP at 604-885-2266 or Crimestoppers at 604-885-TIPS (8477).
