$3M IN POT SEIZED

RCMP Raid Upscale Homes In St. Andrews

It's a bumper crop for RCMP. Mounties harvested about 3,000 marijuana
plants on the weekend while raiding four sophisticated grow operations
in upscale homes in St. Andrews.

With each plant worth about $1,000, the haul is estimated to have a
street value of $3 million.

"It's a significant seizure," said Selkirk RCMP Const. Dwayne
Cebryk.

"It would be one of the top ones in the Selkirk area, if not the
biggest for this detachment."

Due to the size and sophistication of the grow ops, investigators are
probing possible links to organized crime, Cebryk told The Sun.

It all began about 2 p.m. Friday, when police were called to a
burglary in progress at a home at 5 Deer Rapids Dr., northeast of St.
Andrews Airport.

ELABORATE

Soon after officers arrived, they discovered an elaborate grow
operation in the basement of the home.

A 34-year-old St. Andrews woman was arrested and faces charges of
production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of
trafficking.

Her name has been withheld because she was released on a promise to
appear in Selkirk court July 13 and won't be formally charged until
then.

The subsequent investigation led RCMP to three other St. Andrews
residences -- 5418 Highway 9, 12 Praznik Pl., and 6 Michael Bay --
where three more raids were conducted.

The three residences were uninhabited and were set up to grow large
amounts of dope, Cebryk said. No other arrests have been made.

The grow op busts are the first this year for Selkirk RCMP.

"We haven't had to deal with these types of things. This is the tip of
the iceberg for us perhaps," said Cebryk.

RCMP wouldn't discuss how the homes were linked, other than to say
neighbours had reported "odd activity" at all four residences.

"People noticed that these homes weren't being used as they are
traditionally meant to be used," Cebryk said.

"That allowed us to move fairly quickly after the link was made."

Meanwhile, police in Winnipeg have been busting grow ops at a steady
pace.

At last count, Winnipeg police have busted more than 55 grow ops
across the city this year.

"That's starting to spill over into the rural area," Cebryk said.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Steve Colwell said there have been several grows
busted across the province this year and he credits that in part to
public awareness.

"I think the public is more aware of what's going on," he said. "They
know what to look for and they are alerting local detachments more
so."