VOLATILE POT GROWING PROPS FOUND

Potentially explosive paraphernalia suspected to be from a marijuana
grow op was recovered from a side road in Eagle Bay last week.

Salmon Arm RCMP say they received a report on March 4 of containers on
the road.

Accompanied by Ministry of Environment personnel the next day,
officers discovered two 45-gallon drums and 20 five-gallon drums all
labelled Isopropyl Alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is also commonly called
rubbing alcohol.

"The drums were all empty and had been there for up to five days
already," stated Cpl. Len Laseur in a news release. "The alcohol was
evaporated and not a concern to the environment now."

Police say the industrial amount of the clear, colourless, flammable
liquid is likely from a marijuana grow operation, "where the growers
are using the alcohol to turn the marijuana trimmings into 'weed oil.'"

Police note the process of creating weed oil is similar to perking
coffee and is extremely dangerous because the fumes can ignite and
cause explosions.

An Internet website entitled "How to make weed oil without blowing
yourself up," contains many graphic photos of burn victims, attesting
to the danger incumbent in the process.

Salmon Arm RCMP also state: "As well, this local dumping indicates
there are ongoing organized criminals in our area, ignoring concern
for the environment and ignoring safety while trying to make untaxed
money at the expense of others."