Recent History – 2003
November 7, 2003 – Jamie Dirom, Daily News Staff
Police uncovered what may be the biggest marijuana grow op in the area’s history Thursday. Investigators led by the North District Drug Section out of Prince
George executed a search warrant at a property 30 kilometres west of Dawson Creek. Assisted by officers from the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John detachments, police found an elaborate grow operation located in two bunkers buried in the ground. Officers seized a large quantity of marijuana production equipment,
nearly 1.6 kilograms of dried marijuana, 3,600 marijuana plants in varying stages of growth and a 9mm handgun.
“It was a great day for us,” said Cpl. Sean Neary of the North District Drug Section.
“It’s probably the biggest (marijuana bust) in this area in some time – probably ever.”
According to a release from the RCMP, experts suggest the average marijuana smoker uses approximately 3 grams of the drug a day. Based on the number of plants seized and considering the potential yield, police estimate that the marijuana seized could keep the average user supplied for 276 years.
The marijuana was being grown in two underground bunkers using lamps and other growing equipment. Two Dawson Creek men, aged 43 and 47, were taken into custody by police and later released. Police are presenting a package to the Crown, and charges are expected to be laid. The grow op was found as a result of an investigation by the drug section, Neary said.
“Anything of this nature takes a lot of help, and we got excellent help from the Dawson Creek detachment and the Fort St. John detachment,” he added.
While it ranks among the major busts in the Peace, Neary said drug busts of this size are not unusual in the province, particularly in the Lower Mainland. But he added that they may become more common in rural areas as enforcement and vigilant residents make it more difficult to run a grow op in that part of the province.