Pubdate: Sat, 26 Jul 2014
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Clara Ho
Page: A8

POLICE BUST MEDICINAL MARIJUANA GROW OP

Officers busted a medicinal marijuana grow op in southwest Calgary
that police believe was used to fuel a drug trafficking operation,
following a six-week investigation that stemmed from an unrelated
traffic stop.

A man and a woman are now facing a total of 20 drug and weapons
related charges in connection with the case.

Staff Sgt. Keith Hurley, with Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team's
Green Team South, said the pair had not been on police radar until a
traffic stop a few months ago.

"There was a smell of marijuana from the vehicle," Hurley said, adding
the man also made a statement that led officers to believe he was
involved in drug trafficking.

City police passed along the information to ALERT. An investigation
was launched, during which police observed "a pattern" consistent with
trafficking-related activities, including people coming and going with
"small packages," Hurley said.

Not long after, police conducted a second traffic stop involving the
couple, which yielded more evidence consistent with trafficking,
including packaging materials, cash and a cellphone, he said.

On Tuesday, officers with ALERT, the RCMP and the Calgary Police
Service swooped in on a home in the community of Silverado and
executed a search warrant, dismantling a 107-marijuana plant grow op.

The accused man was licensed to legally grow medicinal marijuana at
the location, Hurley said, adding it's believed "he was using the
permit as a ruse for a trafficking operation and using it strictly for
a profitable operation."

In addition to the plants, police removed 139 grams of packaged
marijuana, about 400 grams of magic mushrooms, a loaded handgun that
was previously reported stolen, a Taser, a money counter and $1,100 in
cash.

Police say they also seized score sheets, scales, packaging materials
and more than a dozen cellphones.

The drugs have a total estimated street value of $98,650, Hurley
said.

Alan Stuart Macdonald, 41, and Courtney Dionne McConnell, 30, were
arrested in the residence and charged with a total of 20 drug and
weapons-related offences.

Neither was previously known to police in Alberta. They are both
expected to appear in court Monday.

ALERT is a provincial umbrella organization targeting serious and
organized crime, comprising about 400 municipal police officers, RCMP
officers and Alberta sheriffs.

Anyone who witnesses suspicious drug activity in the community is
urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
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MAP posted-by: Matt