Mounties say a hydro theft investigation led to the discovery of a multi-million dollar grow-op this week in a small B.C. community in the Okanagan Valley
On Tuesday, the RCMP Drug Task Force raided a home in OK Falls, a town 19 kilometres south of Penticton, and turned up more than 2,000 marijuana plants inside.
Five separate grow rooms were found in the basement of the home. Two housed mature plants and three were for starter plants, said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk in a statement.
"It appeared to be operating for some time, with potential yield of over $2-million per crop," he said. "It is highly likely that this illicit product was financed and distributed via organized crime channels."
One resident at the property was arrested during the raid; a second was taken into custody later that day.
Douglas Clifford Matthews, 52, of OK Falls and John William Parsons, 43, of Aldergrove both face charges of marijuana cultivation, hydro theft, and possession of marijuana for trafficking.
Both were released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court in March.
OK Falls has a population of 6,000, including residents of the neighbouring community of Kaleden.
