Two men charged after police bust rural marihuana grow operation

May 30, 2013

Calgary… Police have shut down a sophisticated rural marihuana grow operation and charged two men following an ongoing, long-term investigation.

The Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Calgary), an integrated team made up Calgary Police Service (CPS) and RCMP members executed a search warrant at a rural property in Kneehill County, approximately 70 kilometres northeast of Calgary, on May 28.

Assisted by Three Hills, Beiseker, and Airdrie RCMP detachments, and the CPS Gang Suppression Team, CFSEU-Calgary located 498 marihuana plants with a potential street value of $415,000. Police also found marihuana growing equipment and a natural gas bypass.

Daniel GOMBOC of Calgary and Steven FREERKSEN of Carstairs were jointly charged with possession and production of marihuana for the purpose of trafficking and theft of electricity or gas over $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/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:
S/Sgt. Keith Hurley
CFSEU–Calgary
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
403-428-4841

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