Slocan mayor's husband arrested in grow operation bust in August has court case adjourned until January
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
The arraignment hearing for the husband of the Slocan mayor accused of operating a large outdoor marijuana grow operation in Winlaw was adjourned in Nelson Provincial Court Monday.
The judge adjourned the arraignment hearing until Jan. 11 when it is expected Georges Perriere will enter a plea to the charges of production of a substance (marijuana) contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and possession for the purpose of trafficking (marijuana).
The other two suspects in the arrest made Aug. 23 in Winlaw were not charged.
Three men from the Winlaw and Slocan area were arrested after they were found tending to a large outdoor marihuana grow operation on a parcel of Crown land near McKean Road in Winlaw, located 50 kilometres northwest of Nelson.
The operation was composed of three individual sub-sites, said Const. Shaun Foley of the Kootenary Boundary Regional Detachment in Slocan, with a combined total of 657 marijuana plants.
While on scene, said Const. Foley, police seized a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects and also $15,000 in cash that was divided into nine bundles from the same vehicle.
The three suspects were released on the same day on promise to appear documents.
The mayor of Slocan City — Madeleine Perriere — denied knowledge of an alleged marijuana grow operation despite the allegations her husband is facing charges of running it.
The mayor denied at a September village council meeting that she knew about the operation prior to the alleged arrest of her husband and two sons, who are not being charged, on Aug. 23.
She issued the statement at the Sept. 13 village council meeting, saying she did not know about her family’s involvement in the drug trade prior to their arrests.
Slocan is a village of 357 people 75 kilometres north of Nelson.
