Tip from the public helps weed out another Calgary marihuana grow operation

September 28, 2012

Calgary…A tip from the public led police to a sophisticated marihuana grow operation on Whiteview Close NE where they found 749 marihuana plants, valued at over $930,000 if sold on the street.

ALERT’s Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Calgary), an integrated team made up Calgary Police Service and RCMP members, executed the warrants with help from the Calgary Police Service Tactical Unit on September 25.

The electrical services in the home were bypassed, allowing the occupants to steal an undetermined amount of power. The furnace and hot water tank were also altered to supply carbon dioxide to the plants. City of Calgary Building Inspectors attended the home and deemed it unfit for human habitation.

“This is another great example of how police and the public can work together to keep our communities safe,” said Cpl. Lee Brachmann of CFSEU-Calgary. “All it takes is one tip to help us eliminate a grow op and the potential harm they can cause our communities. We encourage the public to continue reporting suspicious activity.”

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:
Cpl. Lee Brachmann
CFSEU –Calgary
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
403-540-7375

Jill Baird
Communications
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3028