Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jun 2004
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Sorcha McGinnis, Calgary Herald

POLICE FIND POT PLANTS WHILE PURSUING PROWLER

A suspected prowler led police to a major marijuana grow op, doors down 
from where officers busted an equally large operation the previous day.

Const. Brad Moore of the Calgary Police Service said officers were 
responding to a complaint of a man lurking in the backyard of a suburban 
home Wednesday afternoon when they noticed the inside door of the garage at 
56 West Cedars Rise S.W. was slightly ajar.

Believing the prowler was hiding inside, officers entered the home, which 
led them to the discovery of approximately 1,018 marijuana plants in an 
advanced stage of growth in the basement.

"It was being in the right place at the right time," said Moore.

The pot operation, worth an estimated $1.4 million, was set up across the 
street and several doors down from another of the year's biggest finds.

On Tuesday, officers swooped in on a home at 71 West Cedars Rise S.W. and 
made the discovery of an estimated $1.4 million in plants.

No one was home at the time of either bust and no arrests have been made.

Sgt. Jim Thorne said residents had tipped off police to suspicious activity 
taking place at the second address.

"There were people coming and going," he said.

Thorne also noted there was little furniture inside the year-old home.

Based on the neighbours' complaints, police were able to obtain a warrant 
to search the home, which uniformed members of District 2 executed early 
Thursday.

The investigation into both operations is continuing.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D