BUSY 24 HOURS FOR POLICE DRUG TEAM

The RCMP-city police Green Team last night busted its fourth marijuana grow
operation in two days, taking almost $1.5 million worth of dope out of
production. Cops moved into a north Edmonton home near 160 Avenue and 84
Street around 9 p.m., confiscating about 250 plants worth about $250,000
along with $15,000 worth of equipment.

"This is a good one because we've been able to show there's a group
involved," said city police Det. Darren Derko. "It's the fourth grow
(operation) and they're all connected."

The investigation will continue because officers didn't make any arrests,
said Derko.

The string of raids began when the team executed a search warrant at a home
around 7 p.m. on Wednesday near 161 Avenue and 77 Street. About 360
marijuana plants were discovered worth an estimated $360,000, said police.

A husband and wife were arrested at the home, while their three children -
a seven-year-old boy, a two-year-old girl and a nine-month-old boy - were
given to their grandmother.

A second warrant executed at a home on Wednesday night near 86 Street and
106A Avenue netted 270 marijuana plans worth an estimated $270,000, said
police.

A man in his 30s was arrested.

Early yesterday morning, the team swooped in on a third home near 104
Street and 175A Avenue and seized 560 marijuana plants worth an estimated
$560,000.

A husband and wife were arrested, while their two children, aged seven and
11, were placed in the custody of Alberta Children's Services. Dung Thanh
Phan, 31, and Thi Xieu Huynh, 31, have been charged with the production of
marijuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking and theft of
electrical power.

Trinh Duc Van, 33, also faces charges.

A 54-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman have been charged with production
of marijuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking and theft of power.