ALERT shuts down two marihuana grow operations in Lethbridge

ALERT shuts down two marihuana grow operations in Lethbridge

February 27, 2013


Lethbridge…ALERT’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Lethbridge) has charged a Lethbridge man with producing marihuana following the discovery of marihuana grow operations in two south side homes.

CFSEU-Lethbridge is an integrated team of Lethbridge Regional Police Service (LRPS) members and RCMP who work together to address organized crime in the community.

On February 26, members of CFSEU-Lethbridge, with assistance from ALERT’s Green Team South, LRPS Community Policing Division, and the LRPS Economic Crimes Unit, concluded a two-month investigation after executing two search warrants at two separate residences in Lethbridge.

Upon entering the first residence, located in the 1200 block of 7 Avenue South, police located 28 marihuana plants in a hydroponic marihuana grow operation concealed in the basement. Also seized from the residence were 147.2 grams of packaged, dried marihuana, $510 in counterfeit Canadian currency, and $60 in counterfeit US currency.

Upon entering the second residence, located in the 1900 block of 14 Street South, police located a concealed, hydroponic marihuana grow operation, along with 25 damaged and discarded marihuana plants. Officers noticed air quality problems in the residence and requested assistance from Lethbridge Fire Department (LFD). LFD attended and conducted their investigation, eventually venting and releasing the residence back to police.

The estimated potential street value of the seized marihuana was $36,500.

Both residences were inspected by Alberta Health Services Public Health Inspectors and condemned as not fit for human habitation.

The owner of both properties, Peter Petrovich GOOLIAFF, age 43, of Lethbridge has been charged with two counts of production of a controlled substance (marihuana), possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (marihuana), and two counts of possession of counterfeit currency. He was released from custody and will appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court March 28, 2013.

To report suspicious activity or a suspected marihuana grow operation, contact local 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

ALERT was established 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.

     -30-

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Staff Sergeant Wes Houston
CFSEU-Lethbridge
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
403-330-5061

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