A pre-Christmas raid on a Pilot Mountain Road property yielded a seizure of $1.5 million worth of marijuana.
In all, 1,569 plants in various stages of growth plus growing equipment were uncovered and three men were arrested when police executed a search warrant on Dec. 20, North District RCMP Cst. Lesley Smith said Thursday.
In addition to charges of production and production for trafficking, the trio also face a charge of theft of electricity.
"A hydro bypass was used to steal the electricity needed for this significant marijuana grow operation," Smith said. "The bypass was extremely dangerous as live wires were seen protruding from the wall of the garage."
Police estimated the buds' street value at $1.5 million.
Names of the those apprehended were not released but Smith said two are from Prince George, ages 36 and 59 years old, and one is from Smithers, age 41.
They'll make their first appearance on April 3.
The takedown involved members of the North District RCMP's integrated marijuana enforcement task force, the North District RCMP drug section and the Prince George RCMP.
Smith the said investigation is part of the RCMP's national strategy to combat marihuana grow operations and the organized crime groups running them.
