sophisticated grow op uncovered  ( photo courtesy RCMP)

Salmo, B.C.-  An RCMP  officer with the West Kootenay Traffic Services, has a very keen nose.   He and another officer were doing a road check on Highway 6 earlier this month  near  a  property that used to be home to a sawmill.

The wind was blowing in the right  direction for  the officer to  get a whiff of  what he believed to be marijuana plants.

The  officers obtained a search warrant and returned to the property the next day, and sure enough, that old mill site was in full production ,  with some 450 plants in various stages of growth. in one of the buildings.

Two men in their 30s found on the property were arrested without incident on December 10th on scene and released for future courts dates to answer to drug related charges.

Officers anticipate the arrest and charges against a third man who is connected to the property.

Two years ago, Traffic Services officers ended up searching the same property following the odd sighting of large and colourful macaws and parrots seen flying around near the highway. The property had been searched at that time  and  a marijuana grow op was dismantled, but that investigation didn’t lead to any charges being laid.

“It appears that birds of a feather continue to flock together on this property" says Corporal Dan Moskaluk "the grow was located in the same room as the first time, adjacent to the large parrot enclosure, with 8 birds or so still on site." "None of the birds is being co operative",  says Moskaluk, they  aren’t talking.