File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Michael Reeve / Q-101 Merritt

Police Blotter

Charges approved after 2020 cannabis grow op raid near Merritt

Apr 20, 2021 | 8:55 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — A search warrant executed in 2020 has led to charges being laid against four men.

On November 19, 2020, the Merritt RCMP executed a Cannabis Act search warrant a residence in the 9000-block of Highway 97C. An unlicensed, sophisticated cannabis grow operation was located that was estimated of being capable of producing approximately 1.5 million joints a year and represents 51,845 purchases of 30 grams from a legal cannabis store.

Sgt. Shane Holmquist RCMP E Division Cannabis Coordinator states, “These illicit cannabis production facilities have a direct impact on the legal production and sale of cannabis in the Province of BC.”

On April 13, 2021, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada approved charges of Unlawfully Cultivate, Propagate or Harvest Cannabis in a Dwelling House and Unlawfully Possess Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling against Mr. Sebastian Csuka, Mr. Valerian Lukaj, Mr. Jakin Gjuraj, and Mr. Zef Leka.

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On April 15, 2021, Ms. Christeena Clarke was charged with Break and Enter with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence and Assault. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on March 21, 2021, in Merritt, where it is alleged that Ms. Clarke broke into a residence and assaulted a victim over a personal dispute.

Ms. Clarke is set to appear before the Courts on April 20, 2021.