Park of the crop taken out of a house on Duncan Crescent in Red Deer, with some of the grow items in the background.
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SharePolice make biggest drug bust in Red Deer history
By Jack Wilson - Red Deer Advocate
Published: August 27, 2008 7:05 AM
Updated: August 27, 2008 7:34 AM
RCMP pulled off the largest city drug bust when they raided a Deer Park residence on Tuesday, seizing in excess of $1.1 million worth of plants.
City RCMP, with the assistance of other Southern Alberta officers, raided the large home at 98 Duncan Cresc. about 11 a.m..
They discovered more than 800 plants in various stages of growth. They had a search warrant.
One man was in the residence and was taken into custody.
This is the first significant marijuana grown operation bust in about a year in the city. RCMP took down six grow operations late last summer and early fall.
Officers said in earlier busts the average operation is about 300 plants. The largest bust last year netted about 550 plants.
A man pleaded guilty to cultivation of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking in that case and was sent to jail for 26 months about a month ago.
On Tuesday, police also seized a large quantity of growing apparatus, including high-intensity light.
Neither the name of the man taken into custody nor specific charges were released pending further investigation, said Const. Sabrina Grunow of city RCMP.
The light brown, single storey house, estimated to be in excess of 2,000 square feet, is worth almost $400,000 based on a nearby home on Duncan that is listed for sale at about $370,000.
A nearby resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was glad police busted the house.
“Good for the police. We don’t need places like this in our midst. It’s a nice neighbourhood and we retired here.
“Everyone likes to take care of their homes but this one I think has been a bit of a problem in the past,” she said while watching several officers near the house.
Another resident said he never suspected a grow operation was underway in the house.
“We never did see many people around or coming and going from the place.
“You just never know who your neighbours are unless you go and see them I guess,” said the middle aged man, who wished to remain anonymous.
Contact Jack Wilson at jwilson@reddeeradvocate.com
