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"Do not occupy" and other notices block entry from this home on Braeloch Road in the Mission after a large marijuana grow operation was taken out by RCMP
Kelowna.com staff
Chalk up two more marijuana grow operations and 3,500 plants for the Kelowna Mounties this weekend.
Police used search warrants to enter two homes—one a rural area in Ellison, the other in a desirable Mission neighbourhood where it appears the grow op was confined to the inside of the home. That home, at 387 Braeloch had 1,500 plants inside. You may have heard of larger grow operations but few that large inside a home. But RCMP Const. Steve Holmes said RCMP efforts are finding greater amounts of crops.
“Sadly the grow ops we are finding have been quite substantial,” he said.
They arrested three adults at that scene May 28. They face charges of producing a prohibited substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and theft of hydro. Someone re-routed the electricity behind the power meter to avoid detection. RCMP Const. Steve Holmes said both were tips received from the public.
“These particular files are a prime example of a working partnership between police and the community. The ability of the Kelowna RCMP to do it’s job effectively is influenced largely by the support it receives from the community,” RCMP Const. Steve Holmes said.
On March 27, police used a drug warrant and the services of a police dog in the 6800 block of Farmers Drive in Kelowna.
They found another 2,000 plants in the home and an outbuilding that had been segmented into growing and processing rooms where they found two men aged 62 and 32. They face numerous charges. The 32-year-old is known to police but not the 62-year-old man.
“When they were found their clothing was covered with a green residue,” he said.
They also found 24 kilograms of dried, processed marijuana bud, and $3,500 in cash.
“The public’s perception of the drug trade, and the damage it does in society, often results in information from concerned citizens to the police. This information is investigated and can often lead to the results seen above,” Holmes said.
At the Braeloch address, City of Kelowna bylaw notices are made out to Roger and Cheryll Hopkins. She denied comment this morning but said she isn’t the owner of the home.
