Reports from various sources, including CBC radio have indicated legal proceedings by a Castlegar area resident are being launched against the RCMP.
The action relates a 2011 raid on what was a licensed medical marijuana grow operation in the Pass Creek area.
The incident occurred in early 2011 and received coverage by the Castlegar News, including an April 7 story which related, in part: “According to police, the number of marijuana plants found at Velma Mullaney’s residence in Pass Creek exceeded what was allowed under the licences issued by Health Canada to her and her boyfriend.
“The pair is legally allowed to grow 98 plants, but RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew said police had evidence there were more plants than that in production, based at least partly on high levels of power consumption at the residence.
After obtaining a warrant, police searched the large rural property on Feb. 24.
“Mathew said three separate officers each counted more than 98 plants, but she wouldn’t say exactly how many plants were counted.
“Mullaney’s lawyer, Don Skogstad, said his client claims police later told her they had counted 99 plants.
As a result, Skogstad told the Castlegar News he doesn’t expect the Crown to pursue charges.
Mullaney is apparently now suing for assault, malicious prosecution, and false arrest, among other violations.
Neither Mullaney’s present legal counsel, nor Mullaney herself had responded to requests for comment on April 21. A request for comment had also been made to Castlegar RCMP, but had not received a response.
