Nearly $4 million in marihuana seized in Calgary, five people charged

March 9, 2012

Calgary….Searches of four Calgary residences on March 6 and 7 led to charges against five people after the discovery of almost 3,000 marihuana plants, valued at nearly $4 million 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.

Concluding a series of separate investigations, the team dismantled grow operations of varying sizes at homes on Sandringham Close NW, Hidden Ranch Crescent NW, Elmont Court SW and Millrise Drive SW.

The electrical and water services were bypassed in all of the homes, allowing the occupants to steal an undetermined amount of power and water. In one instance, the furnace and hot water tank were also altered to supply carbon dioxide to the plants. Alberta Health Services attended all four properties and deemed them unfit for human habitation.

Tips from the community led to the discovery of three of the marihuana grow operations.

“Residents who report suspicious activity are playing an important role in keeping our neighbourhoods safe,” said S/Sgt. Tom Hanson of CFSEU-Calgary. “Those who engage in this kind of criminal activity can be sure that police aren’t the only ones on the lookout for these operations. All it takes is one tip.”

The following people are charged:

• Wei Lin CHEN, age 27, is charged with production of marihuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking, theft of electricity, and theft under $5,000.
• Bing Quan CHEN, age 62, is charged with production of marihuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking, theft of electricity, and theft under $5,000.
• Bin Yan HUANG, age 24, is charged with production of marihuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking, theft of electricity, and theft under $5,000.
• Phan Cong TANG, age 43, is charged with production of marihuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
• Shu Huan LIAO, age 35, is charged with production of marihuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking, theft of electricity, and theft under $5,000.

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

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:
S/Sgt. Tom Hanson
CFSEU –Calgary
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
403-428-4765

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