By Andru McCracken

The case of a million dollar grow operation in Cedarside near Valemount is making its way through the courts.

On March 18, 2006 local police descended upon a Cedarside property owned by George E. Styran confiscating 1000 marijuana plants and taking ten people into custody.

This week local man, George E. Styran, faced an arraignment hearing for two charges laid by the Crown: Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and production of a controlled substance.

Constable Dwayne Wikstrom said at the time of the bust that police believed the marijuana was not for local markets, but targeted for sale in the Lower Mainland. He didn’t rule out ties to organized crime.

The grow-operation is alleged to have been staged in a number of trailers scattered over part of Styran’s property.

This week, Constable Ed Burstrom said that charges have been laid against others too.

Federal Crown prosecutor Anthony Varesi was not available for comment before deadline.