The names of former residents from the Weyburn area charged in a large drug bust in B.C. have been released by the RCMP, who are actively continuing their investigation.

After cancelling a news conference in Weyburn on Thursday due to the heavy snowstorm which hit the southeast, the RCMP released information via fax about the eight-month investigation which resulted in a number of searches and arrests on Sept. 12 and 13.

Charges have been laid against 25 people so far, including Kim Allan Giroux, 38, and Rachelle Dawn Hennessey, 28, of Mission, B.C.; Toni Periard and Lawrence Periard, ages unknown, of Vernon, B.C.; Gary Hill, 39, of Weyburn; Josh Periard, age unknown, of Regina; and Jason Erb, 27, formerly of Weyburn.

The delay in releasing names was to allow those charged to make their first appearance in court in B.C., at which time the formal charges were read to them.

Charges are pending against 18 other people, and police believe there may be more people involved in this criminal organization.

The drug bust resulted in the seizure of more than 5,000 marijuana plants worth over $2 million, three vehicles and $30,000 in Canadian and American currency. The searches included a home, a fifth wheel recreation vehicle and a business in Weyburn, executed under the Proceeds of Crime legislation.

Investigators say those arrested were part of an organized group of people growing and distributing marijuana in B.C., with several people originating from the Weyburn area. Police believe these people moved there for business reasons, such as better access to supplies and markets, and a perception that sentences in B.C. courts are lower for drug offences than elsewhere.

Police involved in this lengthy investigation include members of the Regina Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit, Regina Customs and Excise, Regina Integrated Drug Unit, Weyburn Police Service, Regina Police Service, Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia, Abbotsford Police Dept., and RCMP members in Mission, Langley, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Vernon and Burnaby, B.C.

Anyone with further information about this investigation is asked to call the Weyburn Police Service, the RCMP or the Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers tips line at 1-800-222-8477.