RCMP:
Ten members from the Vernon/North Okanagan Detachment swept down on an isolated farm in Cherryville yesterday to bust a commercial size grow -op. The house and barns were situated at the end of Cochrane Rd, a dead end street off Creighton Valley Rd. When police arrived in numbers, the two male residents inside the farmhouse immediately surrendered to authorities. Both males (aged 29 and 51) provided Kelowna addresses and were escorted to Vernon cells to await their first Court appearance this morning. Their names will be released once charges are approved. As the search progressed police discovered two large barns entirely devoted to marijuana production. At total of some 3100 plants were cut and seized. In addition to trucks loads of the usual grow op equipment, police seized two industrial 240 kw generators and two 5 ton air conditioning units. There was a drying room set up in the house itself where some 60 lbs of marijuana bud was also seized. Police believe the sophisticated operation had been up and running for several years. An anonymous tip to police shortly before Christmas started the investigation in earnest. The land itself is owned by a male from out of the Province. Given the size of the operation, this is another example of organized crime moving into this picturesque valley. Police encourage the residents of Cherryville to continue to report suspicious activity to the police to ensure their community and valley remain unwelcome territory for pot growers looking to set up shop.
Cpl. H.J. Proce
NCO i/c Lumby Det
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