Otis the pot-sniffing copdog scores again

RCMP arrested several people from Peachland, Kelowna and Prince George at a residence in Peachland where they found 854 marijuana plants (above), part of a large grow-up.

Otis the smiling Mountie makes another big seizure.

Kelowna RCMP.

Early Thursday morning, members of Southeast District Traffic Services Integrated Road Safety Unit and Keremeos Roving Patrol Unit put a little bit a of kink in someone’s day, these individuals were allegedly conducting illegal activity.

On December 10, 2009 at 9:29 AM, the Kelowna Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) and the Keremeos Roving Unit with Police Service Dog Otis, stopped a motorist on Hwy 33, near Rock Creek, B.C. The investigation revealed that the occupants of the vehicle were in possession of illegal substances. A search incidental to arrest resulted in the discovery and seizure. Officers including RCMP Police Service Dog Otis uncovered over 4 lbs of marijuana and several thousands of dollars cash from the vehicle and also gained grounds to conduct a search warrant at an associated residence in Peachland.

The Kelowna IRSU Unit subsequently obtained a search warrant and executed same on Ponderosa Drive, Peachland, BC. Members located a hydro bypass and a total of 854 marihuana plants were located and seized. The residence had extensive marihuana harvesting machinery and high end equipment that were also seized (grow equipment seized estimated around $75,000).

The bust was made possible by the keen nose of police service dog Otis, the 'smiling Mountie'.

A 5 lb bag of dried marihuana was also located in the residence, as well as 15 lbs of high grade shake used to produce hash. Three unsecured firearms were located in the residence as well.

A male believed to be the caretaker of the grow operation drove up to the scene as where conducting the search and was found to be intoxicated. This male was arrested for the grow and investigated for impaired driving.

A 26-year old male from Peachland, a 23-year old female from Kelowna and a 26-year old male from Prince George are facing numerous Criminal Code offences.

“Anybody trying to move contraband goods via our highways are going to have as difficult a time as we can make it for them. We want to get this product out of circulation even before it hits our communities streets” stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

“Otis seemed pretty happy with his day’s work yesterday, we could’ve sworn he was smiling most of the day as you can see” added Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

December 11, 2009
Kelowna RCMP
File # SE2009-6007