An RCMP helicopter is seen behind cannabis plants in this submitted photo. RCMP say as many as 100,000 plants were discovered growing along Highway 8 near Merritt. SUBMITTED / RCMP

RCMP destroy $8M illegal outdoor cannabis crop near Merritt

MERRITT, B.C. – Mounties in British Columbia's southern Interior have destroyed a bumper crop of bud after finding thousands of illegal marijuana plants.

A statement from RCMP says as many as 100,000 plants were discovered growing along Highway 8, outside Merritt, about 250 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.

Police say Health Canada had not authorized the cannabis grow operation.

Officers returned with a search warrant last Friday and destroyed the plants along with a quantity of dried and processed marijuana.

Police estimate the value of the drugs at around $8 million. (CFJC)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2020.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.

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