Two men from the Lower Mainland were arrested during a marijuana grow-op bust north of Williams Lake on Thursday.
Members from the North District Integrated Marihuana Enforcement Task Force (NDIME) and the Williams Lake RCMP detachment executed a search warrant on Aug. 30 regarding a marijuana grow operation in the 4000 block of Duffy Road near Williams Lake.
The RCMP located 213 marijuana plants in various stages of growth along with growing equipment used in the production of marijuana. Police also seized a 2004 Dodge Caravan and $4,000 in cash.
Two adult males aged 54 years and 34 years were arrested and are facing charges for production of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The 34-year-old male was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant from Vancouver for the same drug charges relating to a previous investigation. He was held in custody on that matter and released the next day from court.
The two accused are both from the Lower Mainland, and police believe their only purpose for being in the Cariboo area was to grow marijuana.
Both men will make their first court appearance on this matter on Dec. 19 in Williams Lake.
This investigation is part of the Marihuana Grow Initiative, the RCMP’s national strategy to combat marijuana grow operations and the organized crime groups running them in our communities.
Anyone with information in relation to a marijuana grow operation is asked to contact the RCMP or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or text a tip to CRIMES (274637) using keyword "pgtips."