Police shutdown another Calgary marihuana grow operation

November 23, 2012

Calgary… Police are reminding the public about the extreme fire hazards associated with marihuana grow operations following the discovery of a grow op at a Calgary property on 48 Street N.E. Investigators found 482 marihuana plants valued at over $600,000 if sold on the street, along with badly damaged electrical wiring resulting from the lines carrying an amperage above their capacity.

The Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Calgary), an integrated team made up Calgary Police Service and RCMP members, executed a warrant at the property on November 21.

“It was immediately clear to us that this property posed a significant safety risk to the neighbouring houses. The insulation around the wires in the transformer box was damaged from excessive heat,” commented Acting Staff Sergeant Paul Wozney. “This could have easily resulted in a fire if we hadn’t gotten to this property when we did.”

Investigators found that the electrical and water services had been bypassed and the furnace and hot water tank were altered to supply carbon dioxide to the plants.

Alberta Health Services and City of Calgary Building Inspectors attended the home and deemed it unfit for human habitation.

To report suspicious activity or a suspected marihuana grow operation in your community, contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). For information on how to spot a marihuana grow operation, visit www.alert-ab.ca/growops

CFSEU-Calgary is an ALERT team established and funded by the Government of Alberta to bring together the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources to tackle serious and organized crime. Over 400 municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs work for ALERT.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Acting S/Sgt. Paul Wozney
CFSEU–Calgary
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
403-804-9190

Candace Cook
Communications
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3015