A marijuana grow operation on a rural property in Rocky View County near Balzac was brought down by Airdrie Rural RCMP Nov. 5, according to a release issued by Airdrie Rural RCMP Constable Matthew Gervais.
Local RCMP was assisted by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit “Green Team South,” as well as the RCMP Police Dog Services and the Airdrie Crime Reduction Unit. A search warrant was executed at the home during which the grow op was located.
A total of 536 marijuana plants were found in the home’s attached garage. The plants have a street value of $670,000, according to Gervais.
Two people, a man, 58, and a woman, 46, both from Calgary, face charges of possession of property obtained by crime and production of marijuana. Their names will be released once they are formally charged.
They were released on their own recognizance with multiple conditions, according to Airdrie Rural RCMP Corporal Ann Hills.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement “Green Team” is a specialized integrated unit of RCMP and Calgary Police Services, which assists in investigations involving the production of marijuana.
The bust follows another large bust made at a rural property north of Langdon Nov. 2 during which police seized 1,140 marijuana plants with a street value of $1.425 million. Gervais did not return calls by press time.
Counterfeit Bills
A man who entered two local businesses Nov. 7 and used counterfeit $50 bills to pay for his purchases is being sought by RCMP, according to Airdrie RCMP Media Liaison Constable Jason Curtis.
“A male enters the Co-op grocery store, he selects a small item, paid for it with a larger denomination bill – a $50 bill – receives his change and goes across parking lot to the Co-op Gas Bar and does the exact same action again,” Curtis said. “He selected another small item, paid for it with a $50 bill.
“The store clerks there noticed the bills didn’t appear entirely legitimate. They actually found that the serial numbers were the same on both bills.”
RCMP was contacted and provided with surveillance video from both businesses.
The man is described as approximately 5’10” tall with short dark hair. He is in his late 20s to early 30s and was wearing a dark jacket, blue jeans and a brown scarf or bandana around his neck at the time of the offenses.
“We’re just looking for the public’s assistance in locating this individual so we can ask him a couple of questions,” Curtis said.
If you have any information about any crime, contact the Airdrie RCMP Detachment at (403) 945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at tipsubmit.com
