Charges are pending against several suspects following three major drug raids by Sunshine Coast RCMP.
After a month-long investigation into marijuana grow operations, the RCMP Street Crew executed a search warrant on a Pebble Crescent home in Sechelt on Thursday, March 4.
Police found more than 200 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, equipment for growing marijuana and a large 13-shelf drying rack with marijuana bud drying on it.
The marijuana grow operation was located in a residential area.
Const. Andy Cook said two adult males were arrested at the scene and will appear in Sechelt provincial court on May 25. The pair of suspects are facing charges of production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
The Street Crew served another search warrant this week at a home on Cochrane Road in Gibsons.
Police located more than 175 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, equipment for growing marijuana and a significant amount of dried marijuana bud.
"The marijuana grow operation, which was located in a residential area, was fairly sophisticated," Cook said. "Three rooms in the residence were being used for growing marijuana, with two of the grow rooms having concealed doors."
Cook said two adult males and two adult females were arrested at the scene and will make an appearance in court on May 18. The suspects will face charges of production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
In the third bust, a large marijuana drying and trimming operation was discovered late last month by the Street Crew after police made an arrest at a home on Heritage Road in Sechelt.
Police were alerted to the grow operation after a strong odour of marijuana was detected in the air.
"The operation was located in the workshop on the property and consisted of two rooms," said Const. Bryson Hill. "Each room contained its own large marijuana drying rack. One of the rooms had the entire ceiling strung with wire and clothes pegs, which were used to hang and dry marijuana plants."
Hill said each of the two rooms contained a sophisticated ventilation system designed to prevent the smell of marijuana from being released into the outside air.
The ventilation system includes air ducts, filters and fans, a method commonly used in marijuana grow operations to prevent detection by the police or neighbours, Hill added.
During the raid, police seized marijuana with a total weight in excess of 40 kg.
Hill did not say whether any arrests were made in the case.
"Sunshine Coast RCMP are continuing their efforts to combat marijuana grow operations and are requesting the public's assistance in doing so," Cook said.
Anyone with information on marijuana grow operations on the Coast is asked to contact police at 604-885-2266 or Crimestoppers at 604-885-TIPS (8477).
