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RCMP street crime unit busy with busts in July

Three large marijuana grow operations were dismantled by West Shore RCMP in late July.

Three large marijuana grow operations were dismantled by West Shore RCMP in late July.

In Metchosin, police used a search warrant to enter a home in the 4600 block of Sooke Road on July 20.

The West Shore street crime unit found three quarters of the place had been converted into a grow-op and seized more than 200 plants and associated growing equipment.

A 23-year-old man faces charges of production of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

He was released from custody on a promise to appear in court Sept. 15.

The next day, RCMP entered another Metchosin home on Woodley Ghyll Road with a search warrant.

The property had at one point been licensed to produce medical marijuana, but the permit had expired and even still, police found far more pot than was ever legally allowed to be grown on the property.

Nearly 50 Christmas-tree size pot plants were seized. Charges against the producer have been drafted but not yet sworn in court.

RCMP found the third and largest grow op on July 29 in the 300 block of Belmont Road in Colwood.

RCMP removed nearly 200 mature plants and another 100 recently planted for the next crop.

The harvest would have sold for more than $40,000 on the street. Power had been diverted in the home to get enough energy for the sophisticated operation.

A 27-year-old man was arrested leaving the residence. He was released on promise to appear in court Sept. 15.