The trend in the Cariboo (as well North Central B.C.) is the arrival of more Asian-descent residents from the Lower Mainland who purchase properties "for the sole purpose of housing marijuana grow operations," said RCMP Sgt. W. Brown, Williams Lake detachment commander.
"We believe this trend is related to Asian organized crime," Brown said after RCMP there took down their sixth grow operation this year in a residence in 150 Mile House.
Brown said "a modest 2,500 plants" and related growing equipment were seized and a man and woman were arrested at the scene. Both face charges of production of, and possession of a controlled substance for trafficking purposes. The estimated yield value of their operation is $2 million. RCMP in Williams Lake have seized about 11,000 marijuana plants so far in 2010.
