Okanagan RCMP have been working together to bring down a criminal organization which was producing and distributing marijuana in the North Okanagan.

Project Epelerine involved the execution of eight search warrants at properties in Vernon, Enderby, Armstrong and Falkland.

Constable Julie Rattee says the project has resulted in eight people being arrested and the seizure of more than 5,500 marijuana plants.

“Project Epelerine began in mid April with a combined investigative team consisting of members from Vernon Detachment, South East District General Investigation Section, South East District Drug Section and South East District Criminal Intelligence Section. This project focused specifically on one criminal organization operating in the North Okanagan that was producing and distributing marihuana,” says Rattee.

She says four of the search warrants were executed on Thursday May 8 on properties in Vernon located on Pottery Road and Middleton Way and in the Municipality of Coldstream located on Uplands Drive and Rockland Drive.

“All of these properties have also been posted under Vernon and or Coldstream Controlled Substance Remediation Bylaws. The search warrants executed May 14 were at properties located on Highway 97 near Falkland, Hullcar Road and Keevil Road near Armstrong and on Old Salmon Arm Road near Enderby. The properties located on Hullcar Road and Keevil Road will be posted under the Spallumcheen and Armstrong Controlled Substance Remediation Bylaws.”

Rattee says seven men and one woman have been arrested since the start of the project and more arrests are expected.

“It has also resulted in the seizure of in excess of 5,500 marijuana plants, an unregistered handgun, a large quantity of Canadian currency and a Chevrolet Trail Blazer.”

The three people arrested on Thursday, May 8 include Vuong Van Ha and Thanh Duy Pham.

Ha was remanded in custody and Pham was released on $5,000 bail. A third man, a 34-year-old Vernon resident, was released on bail. His name is being withheld until his first court appearance.

Five others were arrested on May 14 and are expected to appear in court some time Wednesday.