DOGGONE, NOW THERE'S TROUBLE

A Tofield-area woman once featured in the Sun after losing her chihuahua
puppy is now facing drug charges following a $412,000-marijuana bust.
Tofield Mounties and the RCMP-Edmonton Police Service Green Team executed a
search warrant on Thursday around 8:20 p.m. at an acreage west of Tofield,
70 km east of Edmonton.

"It was a really nice operation. Nice plants," said city police Det.
Clayton Sach, a Green Team member.

About 412 marijuana plants were found in a three-bay garage at the
residence, said police. A woman was arrested.

Carrie Rae Vigfusson, 27, of Tofield, has been charged with possession of
marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, production of marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking and theft of power.

Vigfusson lost her dog Ren in Edmonton last summer, but got it back a few
days later after someone found it, following media coverage about the
missing pooch.

Police have also issued a warrant for Jason Richard Neilson, 32, of
Tofield, who faces drug-related charges.

Meanwhile, RCMP have concluded their investigation into a less successful
bust near Tofield last May.

RCMP officers from Tofield were called by firefighters who found a
marijuana grow operation on a farm near Holden after a blaze broke out
there. Officers taped off one of the farm buildings, but left the scene to
obtain a search warrant. When they returned, they found all the plants gone.

RCMP spokesman Wayne Oakes said a full investigation by the area commander
had cleared the officers involved of any criminal wrongdoing.

"The results of the investigation have been used to take administrative
measures to ensure there is no repeat of this incident," he said, declining
to say what disciplinary measures had been taken. "That is not part of the
public process. The measures taken are an internal matter."