Public tip helps weed out another Calgary marihuana grow operation

November 13, 2012

Calgary…A tip from the public led police to a sophisticated marihuana grow operation on Los Alamos Place NE where they found 585 marihuana plants valued at over $731,000 if sold on the street.

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 with help from the Calgary Police Service Tactical Unit on November 8.

Investigators found that 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.

“Marihuana grow ops pose significant risks to the community. They can be a fire hazard and they attract violence to the area,” said Acting Staff Sergeant Paul Wozney. “Public tips play a very important role in helping us to locate and shut down these dangerous, criminal operations.”

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