Pubdate: Thu, 15 May 2008
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Sherri Zickefoose
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

POLICE EMPLOYEE TIED TO GROW OP

Civilian Worker Charged After Raids Seize $1.4 Million Worth Of Drugs

The Calgary Police Service has laid drug trafficking charges against 
one of its own after raiding marijuana grow op houses in Chestermere 
that led them to a civilian employee.

Lan Nguyen Dang, 30, has been working for police as an administrator 
in the section that oversees access to department buildings for the 
past two years.

She is suspended from the service without pay.

"It comes as a surprise; it's very unusual. We pride ourselves in 
having very capable, professional people, both civilian and sworn, so 
it's disappointing," said Supt. Ken Marchant of the specialized 
investigations division.

Police searched two homes early Tuesday -- one in the 100 block of 
Springmere Road and the other in the 100 block of Springmere Close.

Inside were sophisticated dirt marijuana growing operations with more 
than 400 plants, as well as 31.8 kilograms of packaged marijuana.

Later that day, a third search warrant was executed in Calgary, in 
the 400 block of Queen Charlotte Road S.E.

A large hydroponic marijuana growing operation was discovered inside.

Approximately 430 plants, with an estimated street value of $535,000, 
were located throughout the home.

In total, officers seized 832 plants from the houses along with the 
packaged marijuana, worth an estimated $1.4 million on the street.

Police say the woman had limited access to internal files and information.

"She would have had no access outside her duties," said Marchant.

The woman is charged with trafficking and production of marijuana and 
theft of utilities.

Marchant said both police and civilian staff go through a high level 
of security checks and clearance.

"I think that speaks to this being very unusual," Marchant said.

Police will likely review their security levels and screening 
process, he added.

"They are very well done. In my time with the Calgary Police Service, 
which is quite a few years now, this is the first I've ever seen."

An internal memo about the woman was sent to officers and staff today.

"It does have an impact, we're getting to be a fairly large 
organization and we are still fairly close," said Marchant.

The Southern Alberta Marijuana Investigative Team members believe two 
of the marijuana growing operations are connected, and continue to investigate.

Van Thanh Pham, 36, and Lan Nguyen Dang, 30, both of Chestermere, are 
charged with trafficking and production of marijuana and theft of utilities.

Dang and Pham are scheduled to appear in Strathmore provincial court 
on June 17.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom