Malakwa underground marijuana farm raided

The underground marijuana plantation was hidden beneath a large shop with hydraulic trap-doors in the floor. (RCMP photo)

Large grow-op raided on Malakwa property.

RCMP.

On the morning of July 6, Southeast District General Investigation Section along with the Sicamous RCMP detachment executed a search warrant on Northway Road in Malakwa.

Once on the property officers located a marijuana grow operation underneath a large shop. The grow, which contained more than 3000 plants, was accessed through a steel door in the floor which was raised with a hydraulic cylinder. This steel door was part of an elaborate electrical system which was utilized to camouflage the actual entry. Steel platforms sitting about 6 inches off the floor contained eight “add a phase” electrical motors. When a switch was activated one of the steel platforms and five of the motors lifted up, revelling the entry. Add a phase motors are used to convert single phase electricity to three phase and are usually only found in industrial applications.

The shop was more than 7000 square feet, and the grow operation beneath occupied close to the same area. The plants were grown in soil planting beds on the floor. The grow was well set up and contained fans, lights and air-conditioning units. There was an underground venting system that allowed warm air and the odour to exit well away from the shop area, reducing detection.

Five persons were arrested on the site and one of the parties involved turned herself into the Sicamous detachment. Three were released on a promise to appear for court at the end of September in Salmon Arm. Two went in front of a justice of the peace by way of telephone conference and were released for court August 17.

All are facing charges of production of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. One male was released on site as it was determined he was a contractor doing some bulldozing.

Eight children ranging in age from 1 to 15 were found on the property. The Ministry of Children and Families assisted with their care until the parents were released.

Malakwa is located 25 km east of Sicamous.

Several units and detachments from the Southeast District were involved including Kelowna Air Section, Revelstoke Forensic Identification, Vernon Police Dog Service and Traffic Services.