P.E.I. man faces charges in alleged marijuana grow op

A 37-year-old P.E.I. man is facing charges after a search warrant allegedly discovered 175 marijuana plants on his Gairloch property.

According to the Kings District RCMP Street Level Drug Unit, the man was arrested on July 21 and charged with marijuana production and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Staff Sgt. Kevin Baillie called it a "fairly sophisticated grow-op."

He said there were several outdoor growing areas with 10 to 40 plants each. Some were surrounded by chicken wire fencing to keep wildlife away.

Baillie said Maritime Electric assisted by cutting off power to the property before officers searched the house to prevent any risk of electrical injury. He said there were a number of lights, timers, fans and dehumidifiers inside.

Besides the plants, police say the man also possessed indoor and outdoor growing equipment and a quantity of harvested marijuana.

The man was released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in provincial court in September.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |'Not all superheroes wear capes': Child rescued from pool
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |RCMP crime analysts could be factor in falling P.E.I. crime rate