COPS BUST POT CAMP

$5m Worth of Weed in Greenhouses

Cops shut down one of Alberta's largest marijuana grow-ops yesterday,
seizing more than $5 million worth of weed.

The RCMP-Edmonton police Green Team, supported by a cadre of
colleagues, moved in on two remote properties near Evansburg - a
village about 100 km west of Edmonton - yesterday at about 8 a.m.

They found 12 greenhouse-like buildings, housing 5,523 plants in
various stages of growth, and 11 kg of processed weed.

That translates to more than $5.5-million of dope, say cops. A plant
ready for harvest is worth about $1,000.

"It's definitely in the Top 10 (busts)," said the Green Team's Det.
Darren Derko, who had been to the site where cops were destroying the
crop by burning it.

Because most of the plants weren't mature, Derko said, smoke from the
fire wouldn't get anyone high.

"You just stand back and let it burn," he said.

Mountie spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes said they figured the plants, if
they'd all grown to harvest, would have produced three million
joints, or marijuana cigarettes.

"That's almost enough for everyone in the province of Alberta," said
Oakes, stressing the size of the operation.

Police wouldn't say whether the grow-op was tied to organized crime,
or where the dope was to be shipped.

Nor were they certain yesterday how long the operation had been
there.

No weapons were found at the site, which was well concealed on
properties skirting Chip Lake.

"Natural vegetation provided a natural camouflage. You would not have
seen them simply driving by," said Oakes.

And the nearest neighbour to the rural property was a fair distance
away, he added.

Police arrested four men at the grow-op when they moved in. One fled,
but was tracked down by a police dog. Later, another man and a woman
were arrested.

"They ended up showing up at the grow-op while we were out there,"
said Derko.

There was a cabin at the operation for people to rest, Derko
added.

While the bust was a big one, it will likely have a negligible affect
on the marijuana trade in and around Edmonton, said Derko.

"The marijuana business is funny, because there's such a supply
coming out of B.C.

"So I don't think it will effect the price in Edmonton. You can get
it anywhere, anytime."

Derko said he'd like to think the big bust is a message to those
considering setting up a grow-op of their own, "but it seems like if
there's money to be made, there'll be people to grow it."

Police didn't disclose the charges the six people arrested were
facing, saying more charges were anticipated.

The two-week investigation into the operation was sparked by a tip
from a concerned citizen, said Oakes, who praised the tipster for
coming forward.