Pubdate: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 Source: Merritt Herald (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Merritt Herald Contact: http://www.merrittherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1446 Author: S. P. Varga COPS BUST GROW-OPS Four RCMP searches later, the Merritt marijuana scene is 220 plants lighter. Merritt RCMP were part of a national anti-marijuana grow-operation campaign known as Operation Greensweep. According to local investigator Const. Duncan Hewitt, the goal is to make the public aware of just how much of a problem the marijuana grow-operations are, not just in the larger centers, but in Merritt as well. Hewitt estimated the 220 plants have a street value of between $15,000 to $20,000, not including the equipment seized. At one of the homes raided, "three individuals came from Kamloops to try their luck at ripping off a grow, but were confronted by the resident and a fight ensued with a knife being pulled." The three would-be robbers didn't know the police had already seized the marijuana. The four searches under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act were conducted on Seyom Crescent, the 1300-block of Parcel Street, the 700-block of Coldwater Road, and the 400-block of Paige Street in Lower Nicola. Currently, a Lower Nicola resident is facing charges of production of a controlled substance and is to appear in provincial court in December. Charges related to the other seizures and the bungled theft are pending. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh