On April 5, 2012, members of the Prince Rupert RCMP General Investigation Section joined forces with the Prince Rupert North District Drug Section for the execution of search warrant on Rainbow Lake Cr.
Once inside investigators located a sophisticated marijuana grow operation. In all 3,354 marijuana plants were seized along with a large quantity of growing equipment. A lone male was located on the property and taken into police custody.
The 59 year old male, a resident of Vancouver, has been charged with one count of production of a controlled substance and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking based on the evidence located at the scene. The accused appeared before a Judicial Justice of the Peace and was later released on conditions.
Cpl Chamberlain of the Pr. Rupert RCMP General Investigation Section notes "this is a substantial seizure of marijuana and part of a trend we are seeing in northern and central BC. No longer are the dangers of large marijuana grow operations a big city problem, or only common to the southern portion of the province."
Police want to remind the public that these operations are extremely dangerous and can pose a significant fire risk, not to mention the impact they can have on the environment.
The police would like to remind the people that they can report crimes or suspicious activities to the Pr. Rupert RCMP at 250-627-0700 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-8477