B.C. federal RCMP have launched the Cariboo Region Integrated Marijuana Enforcement Task Force to fight the problem of commercial-scale marihuana grow-ops in the areas of Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House.
The CRIME task force stems from a 300-per-cent increase in complaints by people living in these areas and a 60-per-cent jump in numbers of investigations into marijuana grow-ops, said Const. Michael McLaughlin, Federal Operations media relations officer
"The grow-ops are 33 per cent bigger than they used to be. Clearly, organized crime is fueling the increase, and the people of the Cariboo have told the RCMP's Drug Enforcement Branch they want the criminals gone."
So far, 24 people, the majority of whom are newcomers to the Cariboo, are facing possible charges.
Since Sept. 7 when the project was launched, 27 marihuana grow operations have been taken down which translates into more than 54,000 marijuana plants. In addition, six unregistered firearms have been seized.
