Vernon News

The RCMP Southeast District General Investigation Section executed a search warrant under authority of the Controlled Substance and Drug Act in Westwold Tuesday.

Police arrested three men and dismantled a large marijuana grow operation.

GIS investigators, assisted by the Falkland Detachment, converged on the property early morning and arrested three men suspected to be involved in the operation of the grow op.

Officers found an outbuilding housing a large portion of the grow operation with a large section of the residence set up to process the illicit crop.

Officers seized a total of 2,996 plants and 100 lbs of dried marijuana. Estimated value of one production yield value estimated at close to $3 million.

One man, 32, was from Westwold. The remaining two, ages 42 and 46 are from the Vancouver area.

The three were held and released to appear at the Vernon Court House to answer to recommended charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and cultivation charges.

Under authority of the criminal code, officers also seized a 2001 3/4 ton van.

Investigators found that there was no electrical by-pass, with the operators accumulating a substantial and recorded power consumption record.

The Okanagan Indian Band has temporarily withdrawn their request to set aside an enforcement order concerning Tolko Industries logging in the Brown's Creek Watershed.

The two sides met again in court on Friday in front of Madame Justice Brown of the B.C. Supreme Court.

In the meantime, Tolko says they're prepared to go ahead with their court-approved archaeological plan for logging in the area.

Tolko missed out on the window of opportunity to log during winter months due to a blockade the OKIB had set up to prevent Tolko's equipment from moving in.

“This was an important concession for Tolko to make, as we have been saying how can you map out historic trails and other artifacts when everything is covered in three to six feet of snow,” says Okanagan Band Chief Fabian Alexis, who attended the court hearing.

"The court previously approved Tolko’s Archaeological plan which addresses both harvesting on a snow pack and harvesting without one," says Murray Wilson, Tolko's Woodlands Manager of Okanagan Forestry.

"The window for harvesting on the snow pack is now gone. So we will be completing the next stage of the archaeological plan for harvesting snow free."

The OKIB also asked for clarification of the decision Madam Justice Brown made on November 1 in regards to how much wood Tolko is allowed to log.

Justice Brown says that Tolko has the right to log about eight cutblocks and no further.

The two sides have been wrangling in court over the Brown's Creek watershed for nearly a decade, with the OKIB citing archaeological and watershed protection concerns, and Tolko worried about the continuing degradation of the wood due to the mountain pine beetle in the area they have a permit to log.

OKIB put up a blockade late last year to keep Tolko from moving their equipment in, and did the same thing a few weeks ago in another attempt to stall equipment.

“Justice Brown has ordered that Tolko and OKIB/Okanagan Nation appear back before her on April 9, for a full day hearing on the archaeology,” says Alexis.

Wilson says at that time, OKIB may bring forward any more concerns with the archaeological plan before Tolko logs the area.

In the meantime, Alexis says he's hoping the two parties can continue talks and possibly settle the situation out of court.

Link: Blockade to remain, Tolko to go to court Link: Blockade goes up over Brown Creek Link: Decision over Brown's Creek delayed Link: OIB blocking Tolko from Brown's Creek

In the space of one week, six grow ops of various size were busted by police in various parts of the North Okanagan.

In total, some 1,600 plants, 33 lbs of dried bud and a small quantity of hashish was seized and eight people have been arrested.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says they are looking for one more.

“The amount of marijuana seized had the potential of 37,000 joints on the street. The population of Vernon is only 35,000,” says Molendyk.

He says three of the residents busted have been posted under the drug bylaw.

The busts took place at the following residences:

March 8:
7817 Cactus Drive, Coldstream

Residence posted under the Coldstream Drug House Bylaw. 547 plants in various stages of growth and 28 pounds of harvested marijuana

One 53-year-old Coldstream man was located in the residence at the time of warrant execution and later released on a promise to appear for a future court date for charges of production, possession of marijuana for purpose of trafficking and theft of telecommunication services (Hydro Bypass).

March 9:
5612 Highway 6, Coldstream

Residence posted under the Coldstream Drug House Bylaw

393 plants in various stages of growth

One man and three women taken into custody. They were all released on promise to appear for a future court date.

March 10:
3100 16 Street, Vernon

Not posted by Bylaw as no modifications to the building, electrical and no mold

51 plants and over one pound of harvested bud

One man arrested at the location and later released on a promise to appear for a future court date to face proposed charges of production of marijuana and simple possession.

“The RCMP received complaints regarding the odor of the grow operation. The location backs onto public baseball fields and the Peanut swimming pool,” says Molendyk.

11707 Kalamalka Rd, Coldstream

Residence posted under Coldstream Drug House Bylaw

290 plants

“No one home at time of warrant execution. Members will be seeking a warrant to arrest the tenant of the rental home.”

March 11:
15 - 8508 Clerke Road, Coldstream

Residence not posted under bylaw

203 marijuana clones, 80 grams of harvested bud, and nine grams of hashish.

One man, occupant of the residence, arrested and released on a promise to appear for a future court date to face charges of production and possession.

7397 Pleasant Valley Road (Vernon Rural)

110 plants and 3.5 pounds of harvested bud

One man arrested when he returned to the residence during the search.

Arrested and released on a promise to appear for a future court date to face charges of production and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

During the past week, Lumby RCMP members responded to 30 complaints or calls for service ranging from trespassing to sudden deaths.

2010/4226 - On March 6 police responded to two thefts from autos within the Village limits. Both vehicles were parked in the lot at the Twin Creeks motel. A hammer used to smash the windows and gain entry was located at the scene. Item were stolen from both vehicles. The vandalism probably occurred during the previous night of March 5 – 6. The owners of both vehicles were the only occupants in the motel that evening.

2010/4202 - Again on March 6, three similar theft from autos were reported on Highway 6 in Cherryville across from the golf course. Back country skiers park their vehicles here for days at a time while they are transported to the lodge in the Monashee mountains. A similar method was used in these thefts as the culprit(s) used a rock to smash out the car windows and steal what they wanted.

2010/4564 - After breaking into the cars across from the golf course, the thieves then stole a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche pick-up that had also been parked there. They again gained entry by smashing out the rear and passenger windows with a large rock. The stolen truck was recovered parked in front of the “Route 6 Campground” on the east side of Cherryville. Stolen from the vehicle were gloves, mittens, brown Oakley sunglasses, a gold wedding band, Dewalt tool bag and a tackle box contained a specialized first aid kit as the vehicle’s owner is a plastic surgeon.

2010/4469 - We got a strong reminder this week that police should never relax their guard. While responding to a routine family disturbance call at a rural location, police were confronted with the suspect male armed with a rifle inside the residence. Deadly force was avoided when the suspect wisely acceded to police demands and dropped the weapon. Charged with Careless Use of a Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm and Possessing a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose is Chad Shunter, age 42 of Lumby.

RCMP in the North Okanagan have arrested a purse snatcher.

Wednesday afternoon, an elderly woman was sitting on a bench near Kin Beach with her purse sitting on the bench beside her.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says a man on a bike came by and stole her purse and rode off with it.

“The police were called immediately and with the description provided by the victim and the direction of travel, two plain clothes officers were able to arrest the suspect in the area of Bella Vista Road,” says Molendyk.

He says the 25-year-old man, from Lumby, was found in possession of items belonging to the victim, as well as a small quantity of drugs.

“He is expected to face charges of theft, possession of stolen property and drug related charges at a later date.”

Molendyk says the victim was unharmed.

“We would like to remind the members of our community who carry purses to keep them close to them at all times so you limit yourselves from being a target for theft like this. Some safety tips are: placing the strap over your shoulder, under your jacket so it is out of site. Carry it under your arm close to your body.”