RCMP in Strathmore, with the assistance of the Strathmore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit “Green Team” and the RCMP Police Dog Services made a large drug bust at a rural property north of Langdon on Nov. 2, according to Strathmore RCMP Constable Clint Chisan.
Police seized 1140 marijuana plants with a street value of $1.425 million. Charged with production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act are Thong Vihn Nguyen, 63, and Phan Thi Dang, 62.
When asked if the two accused have any sort of history with police, Chisan said, “nothing related to this type of activity. No criminal history concerning marijuana grow ops that I am aware of.”
What led officers to execute a search warrant at the property is part of the investigation and Chisan said he could not comment on the details.
Nguyen and Dang have been released from custody and will appear in Strathmore Provincial Court on Dec. 15.
While not the largest grow op police in the area have shut down, Chisan said it is significant.
“I’m been a part of a couple of others that were larger than this in this area, but certainly this is a fair size one,” he said.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement “Green Team” is a specialized integrated unit of RCMP and Calgary Police Services “that come out and use specialized techniques and assist in investigations like this. This isn’t all they do but the “Green Team” specifically assists with marijuana grow operations essentially,” Chisan explained.
“Sometimes they’ll assist in the investigation itself, but they’ll also rip down the operation. Obviously, there’s a lot of manpower required to take the marijuana plants from the location and store them properly, make sure they’re all weighed appropriately and dispose of whatever needs to be disposed of. That’s not something we’d necessarily have the manpower to do locally so that’s why we ask for their assistance.”
The grow op was located inside a number of rooms in the residence as well as in an outbuilding on the property.
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
