ON December 20, Squamish RCMP and Sea to Sky General Investigation Section executed a search warrant in the Upper Squamish Valley in relation to an illicit cannabis cultivation and electrical theft investigation with support from multiple partners, including the LMD Emergency Response Team, E Division Cannabis Training Coordinators, and BC Hydro.
Investigators located a barn which was converted into a 1,500-plant cannabis cultivation operation and an active Butane Honey Oil (BHO) operation.  The BHO production was a dangerous large organic solvent operation with high-end equipment. Under the new Cannabis Control and Licencing Act, the alteration of cannabis with organic solvents such as butane is prohibited.
BC Hydro officials were able to identify a full electrical diversion specifically designed to steal electricity to power the large-scale operation.

A Squamish man was located and arrested on the property and later released pending further investigation.

“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.”

The police are continuing their investigation and in order to identify all persons responsible for these offences they are asking anyone with information to contact the Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or go to www.solvecrime.ca.