A case of mistaken crop identity has resulted in RCMP arresting three adults for break and enter, as well damage to crop destined for beer production on a hops farm in PEI.

Stratford RCMP say they responded to a complaint from a farmer on Saturday afternoon after he observed three unknown adults near his farm buildings. Upon arriving, the police took two males and one female into custody.

The culprits told the officers they thought there was marijuana growing on the farm.

The police say the “senseless act” caused extensive damage to crop that was already packaged for shipping, which will impact the farm’s ability to provide quality product to market. They’re also crediting the actions of the farmer for assisting in apprehending the individuals breaking into his property.

RCMP have charged Warren Jesse Howatt, a 23-year-old male, from Charlottetown with Break Enter Theft and Mischief and two counts of Breaching Court Orders. Two others have been released and will appear in court at a later date.

In biological terms, hops (Humulus lupulus) and marijuana (Cannabis sativa) are from separate genera, but they are both in the Cannabinaceae family of flowering plants. They’ve also been noted to have similar taste and smell properties.