On Friday, Feb. 24, the Cranbrook RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, with the assistance of General Duty, General Investigation Services, Police Dog Service, and the Kootenay Region Containment Team executed a search warrant on Hidden Valley Road for a marijuana grow operation.
More than 600 plants at various stages of growth, prohibited weapons, an assault rifle, cash, other offence related property and several cartons of cigarettes possessed illegally were found and seized. An adult man and woman were taken into custody and later released for a court date to face charges for production of a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance.
Further charges may be forthcoming as a result at the completion of the investigation.
A conservative estimated street value of the marijuana is more than $300,000.
“This was not a licensed grow operation, and waqs likely bound for the black market for financial gain,” said a press release from the Cranbrook RCMP. “Grow ops continue to pose a significant threat to the public and to those who operate them from electrical fire risks, environmental risks and risk of harm by armed home invaders.”