RCMP arrest 16 after pot raid near Merritt, B.C.

Sixteen people have been arrested and 800 cannabis plants seized after Mounties raided a property near Merritt, B.C.

RCMP say they went in with a search warrant on a rural property Thursday, finding a large commercial building with 800 pot plants in various stages of growth.

Police say they also seized marijuana growing equipment.

Sixteen people, all of whom have ties to the Lower Mainland, were arrested at the site, but police say they were released with charges pending.

Cpl. Derrick Francis with Merritt RCMP says the operation would have been able to grow three crops per year.

He says the impact of getting that amount of cannabis off the street is "immeasurable."