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 date they will appear in court has not yet been determined.
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.
This latest bust follows another 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.
The accused in that case, Thong Vihn Nguyen, 63, and Phan Thi Dang, 62, have been charged with production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Nguyen and Dang have been released from custody and will appear in Strathmore Provincial Court on Dec. 15.
Gervais did not return calls by press time.
If you have any information about any crime, contact your local RCMP Detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at tipsubmit.com
