$2.3M POT-GROW BUST WON'T HURT SUPPLY

A $2.3-million marijuana grow-operation bust near Grande Prairie won't
put a dent in northern Alberta's pot supply, say Mounties. Cops seized
3,893 marijuana plants from two large greenhouses and 14 kg of
harvested pot while executing search warrants Wednesday at two homes
and two properties near Rycroft, about 542 km northwest of Edmonton,
said RCMP. "In the total area, it will have very little impact," said
Spirit River RCMP Sgt. Paul Sowers.

"It may impact locally, but it won't have a bearing on the supply of
drugs to the northern Alberta community.

"Certainly, this is just one of many grow operations that are out here
in rural Alberta."

Mounties said the total street value of the bust amounts to $2.3
million. A $10-million grow-op bust near Camrose last year is believed
to be the biggest in the province.

Sowers said two people were arrested Wednesday night and a third
surrendered to police yesterday.

He said the bust was entirely unrelated to a 10-month northern Alberta
RCMP operation in which 41 people are now facing drug-related charges.

Public tips led cops to the Wednesday grow-op, he added.

"We appreciate the support that the community provides in providing
information to the police about individuals in the community that are
growing marijuana or dealing soft or hard drugs," Sowers said.

James Darcey Slack, 45, Angela Bernice Robinson, 31, and Robert James
Henry, 29, all of Rycroft, are facing drug-trafficking, production and
possession charges.

They are to make a first appearance in Grande Prairie court Aug. 9.