Calgary resident faces drug charges following garage explosion

July 18, 2013

Calgary…Police laid drug-related charges against one man following a fire at a northwest Calgary residence on July 17.

The Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Calgary), an integrated team made up Calgary Police Service (CPS) and RCMP members, stepped in to assist the Calgary Fire Department following an explosion in a garage located in the 200 block of Royal Oak Heights Northwest. The team was called in after officials became suspicious about the cause of the fire.

First responders witnessed four suspicious devices, originally believed to be pipe bombs, in the garage and immediately evacuated the area as a precaution. One man suffered minor burn injuries and a female resident was not injured.

Early indications from the investigation suggest the explosion was caused when the man was allegedly attempting to produce cannabis resin. The four items originally believed to be pipe bombs appear to have been homemade hash oil filters. A subsequent search warrant also revealed a small marihuana grow operation in the home.

“We are fortunate this incident did not result in more widespread damage or serious injuries,” said CFSEU-Calgary Sgt. Len Dalton. “The potential for harm when people engage in this kind of activity is significant, and we encourage residents to be on the lookout for and report suspicious activity to police.”

Richard Edward HYDE, 33, from Calgary, has been charged with two counts of production of a controlled substance, and one count each of possession of marihuana, rendering a property dangerous and arson.

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. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP, and sheriffs work for ALERT.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Sgt. Len Dalton
CFSEU–Calgary
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
403-428-4814

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