-from cbc.ca-

RCMP in Manitoba have arrested 16 people from British Columbia after raiding more than a dozen rural properties investigators said housed marijuana grow operations.

RCMP executed search warrants on 13 properties Tuesday in rural areas around the province’s capital region, including the municipalities of West St. Paul, Brokenhead, St. Clements, Springfield, La Broquerie and Tache.

Twelve of the properties housed grow operations, while one was a “staging area,” investigators said.

Seized items are still being inventoried, but include more than 3,000 marijuana plants, cash and equipment. No firearms have been found.

RCMP believe the 16 people arrested came to Manitoba to set up the grow operations, and may have connections to organized crime.

“It definitely has some level of sophistication,” said Sgt. Line Karpish. “The fact that all of these individuals are linked and the magnitude of their operation certainly suggests that these people are linked to organized crime.”

One of the 16 suspects, a 25-year-old man, was picked up at the Vancouver airport on Tuesday as he waited to board an international flight.

Charges are pending but will include the production of marijuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime, theft of electricity and conspiracy to produce marijuana, RCMP said.

The marijuana appears to have been destined for sale in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba, Karpish said.