Salmon Arm RCMP raided a Blind Bay residence, but it appears the operators had already decided to move on.
In the morning of Jan. 14, officers executed a search warrant on a residence on the Trans-Canada Highway near Blind Bay. The home and shop were outfitted as a large marijuana grow operation, with the capacity of producing 3,000 plants. No one was home at the time of police attendance, and it appeared that this grow operation had been abandoned. Although the equipment was still running, approximately 2,000 smaller plants were in various stages of decay. A hydro bypass was located where electricity was being stolen. Investigation continues into this matter.
Missing from the scene
At approximately 9:30 p.m., on Jan. 15, police responded to a motor vehicle accident two kilometres west of Salmon Arm. Upon arrival, all occupants of the vehicle had left the area. A witness advised that the driver hopped into a van that had stopped. Inquiries on the vehicle indicated that it had been stolen from Surrey. Police are asking anyone with information that can identify the driver to contact the local detachment.
Caught with cocaine
A Vernon man is facing drug charges after the vehicle he was driving was stopped in downtown Salmon Arm. At approximately 11:35 am, on Jan. 17, RCMP stopped a vehicle travelling on Shuswap Street. The driver was found to be in possession of a large amount of crack cocaine, two cellular telephones and a stun gun.
The driver, 25, is being charged with possession of crack cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Moving violations
Missing a stop sign proved costly for a 25-year-old Salmon Arm man on Jan.11. When an RCMP officer stopped the Ford pickup truck at the intersection of 30th Street and 10th Avenue SE, the driver was found to be driving while prohibited. He was arrested and his vehicle was impounded. Police also found the man to be in possession of marijuana. He was released to appear in court on March 15.
Drivers respond to conditions
Even though weather conditions have been poor, Salmon Arm RCMP are reporting remarkably few motor vehicle accidents. They attribute this to drivers taking extra caution and slowing down.
Prowler not found
At 10:38 p.m. Jan. 12 police were called to a reported prowler at a residence in the 700 block of First Avenue SE. The resident was watching television when he observed a male on his balcony. When he went to check, the man fled. There is no description and police patrols failed to locate the suspect.