Yellowknife (Apr 06/05) - A grow-your-own dope operation got nipped at the roots after an impromptu discovery by Yellowknife RCMP, March 28.

Const. Chris Vezina of the Yellowknife RCMP detachment shows some of the items seized during the grow-op drug bust. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

As a result, a Yellowknife man was arrested and is charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and one charge of production of a substance (marijuana).

While investigating a complaint at a Frame Lake residence, Const. Kerri Riehl of the Yellowknife detachment said police detected a strong odour of marijuana coming from the basement of the residence.

Police returned later that evening with a search warrant. Nine marijuana plants and various hydroponic equipment was seized.

Const. Chris Vezina, one of the officers at the scene, said four of the plants were approximately three feet high, while the others were smaller.

Also seized were two pellet rifles, one rifle, one pellet hand gun, various grow lights, numerous bottles of fertilizer, books on how to grow marijuana, pots and a rack.

"There was evidence of three harvests," Vezina said.

While it is common in larger grow operations to re-route power lines into the area where marijuana is being grown, Vezina said no such theft of electricity evidence was found in this case.

Within the last two years, Vezina said he is not aware of any other such charges within Yellowknife.

The man will appear in court May 31.