File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Grow Op Bust

Merritt RCMP arrest 16 people in illegal pot bust

Nov 20, 2020 | 3:07 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — The bust of a cannabis operation in Merritt has led to the arrests of 16 people.

According to a news release from Merritt RCMP, officers moved in on a rural property outside of the city Thursday (Nov. 19).

Inside a building on the property, Mounties found about 800 plants in various stages of growth. All of the plants and pieces of growing equipment were seized.

Cpl. Derrick Francis equated the haul with one joint for every person in Kelowna, which this operation could have produced at least three times per year.

“The impact of that amount of cannabis not ending up on the streets of our community or any other community is immeasurable,” Francis is quoted in the news release.

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There were also 16 people inside the building, all with ties to the Lower Mainland. RCMP say they were all released at the scene with charges pending.

“I, and all the officers from the Merritt RCMP are committed to identifying and bringing to justice those who are responsible for all facets of drug trafficking in our community, from those illegally cultivating large scale cannabis operations, to the street level dial-a-dopers,” said Staff Sgt. Steph Drouin, the Merritt RCMP detachment commander, “no one will be overlooked in our enforcement and disruption efforts.”