B.C. pot grower sues RCMP for bust
Velma Mullaney and her partner had licenses from Health Canada to grow 98 marijuana plants
A grandmother from the West Kootenay region is suing the RCMP for allegedly barging into her home and arresting her for growing marijuana.
Velma Mullaney and her common-law partner, who live outside Castlegar, B.C., had licenses from Health Canada to grow up to 98 marijuana plants for medicinal purposes.
But Mullaney said three years ago RCMP officers burst into her home, cut her power, ripped out the plants and arrested her and three others — and took her to jail.
"They came here and wrecked everything and I was guilty of nothing. I wasn't doing anything wrong," she said. "They destroyed all my equipment, came in with guns and it was completely unfair."
Initially, the RCMP said Mullaney had one more plant than her and her partner's permits allowed. But they later dropped that claim and all charges against Mullaney were eventually dropped.
Mullaney is now suing for assault, malicious prosecution, and false arrest, among other violations.
The RCMP would not comment on the suit.
With files from the CBC's Bob Keating