Local law enforcement arrested a Squamish man and seized 1,500 pot plants from a barn in Upper Squamish on Thursday, Dec 20.
The barn had been converted into a cannabis and butane honey oil (BHO) operation, said the RCMP.
BHO, also known as hash oil, is a marijuana extract that when heated with a butane torch leaves a resin that contains a high concentration of THC.
The BHO production was a "dangerous, large organic solvent operation with high-end equipment," according to an RCMP news release sent out Dec.22.
The alteration of cannabis with organic solvents such as butane is illegal under the new Cannabis Control and Licencing Act.
"There are numerous safety hazards associated with electrical theft and cannabis production, notably the risks associated with BHO operations due to the volatility of butane," said Sgt. Jeff Shore of the Sea to Sky General Investigations Section. "Despite the legalization of cannabis, the RCMP will continue criminal enforcement efforts when it comes to youth, public safety, and organized crime."
BC Hydro officials were at the search of the barn and were able to identify "a full electrical diversion specifically designed to steal electricity to power the large-scale operation," said the RCMP release.
The arrested local man was later released pending further investigation.
Squamish RCMP and the Sea to Sky General Investigation Section executed their search warrant of the barn in relation to illicit cannabis cultivation—which applies to those growing more than four plants under current legalization, police said. The Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team, E Division Cannabis Training Co-ordinators, and BC Hydro assisted with the search.
Police said they are continuing to investigate in order to identify anyone else involved in the illegal operation.
They are asking anyone with information to contact the Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or go to www.solvecrime.ca.
