RIFLE-TOTING POT THIEVES ARRESTED

An outdoor grow-op with about 700 marijuana plants was dismantled by police
on the Chehalis reserve Friday.

It all started when a gun shot rang out overhead after a young Chehalis
resident stumbled across an outdoor marijuana grow op and decided to help
himself.

It ended with several arrests after Chilliwack Emergency Response Team
members were called out, along with the dog unit and helicopter services.
Agassiz RCMP report that the 20-year-old dirt bike rider was scared off by
the rifle shot but later returned with a bunch of his friends, some of whom
were armed.

"Police responded to the area where six adult males were located in a
pick-up truck, armed with two rifles and several garbage bags of marijuana,"
reports RCMP Sgt. Emil Spitkoski.

The six were arrested and are facing drug and weapons charges.

After an extensive search of the area, the large marijuana plantation was
found and the plants seized.

"None of the other suspects who fled into the bush were located, however
police are still investigating," he adds.

There were no injuries reported.

Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC)
Pubdate: September 24, 2002
Website: http://www.theprogress.com/