Part of Lake Country grow-op shut down

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 19, 2012 12:00 PM

He has a licence to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes.  But a 44-year-old Lake Country man is facing possible charges of production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking after police found he was growing more plants than his licence allowed. Lake Country RCMP executed a search warrant Friday at a residence in the 11800 block of McGowan Road. Police were aware that the owner of the home had a medical marijuana licence for 122 plants. “Information suggested he was exceeding that number,” said RCMP spokesperson Const. Kris Clark. Police located a sophisticated grow operation in the detached garage, which, as suspected, far exceeded the allotment provided by the medical marijuana license. Police seized 267 marihuana plants of the 389 located, leaving the 122 to which the man was legally entitled. Investigators also found issues with the electrical to the garage, and service was subsequently terminated to the outbuilding. A 14-year-old boy was located living inside the residence as it is his parents’ home. Health Canada will be informed of the man’s license violation with the recommendation that it be revoked. When police present evidence to a judge that there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe that a criminal offence is taking place, and a warrant is granted, police may search residences that have medical marijuana licences,” said Clark.