ANGER FOLLOWS RAIDS

Chestermere Neighbourhood Upset Over Grass Operation

The serenity of a new Chestermere neighbourhood was shattered when 20
officers from seven police units conducted the biggest drug bust in
Chestermere history Friday.

"I'm actually really angry," said Patrina, a neighbour who asked to be
identified by her first name only. She lives next to one of the seven
houses in an 18-home cul-de-sac that were stormed by Calgary, Chestermere,
Brooks and Strathmore officers.

"I don't like the fact that they were doing this in my cul-de-sac," said
Patrina. "But I'm also sad for the children."

Young children lived in at least one of the houses in which search warrants
were executed, said neighbours.

The amount of pot and equipment recovered from the intricate grow operation
is estimated at $3 million, said Strathmore RCMP Staff Sgt. Glenn De Goeij.

Patrina saw the heavy police presence in the small cul-de-sac when she went
outside to get her mail and spoke with one of the officers shortly before 6
p.m.

"He turned to me and asked 'Are you going out?' and I said no," recalled
Patrina.

"He said 'Get back in your house ma'am.' "

As she reached her door, Patrina heard the "big bang" of officers crashing
through her neighbour's door.

"Police were yelling for people to get down," said another neighbour who
asked not to be identified.

"They yelled at me to get away from the window," she said.

"Nobody really moved into the area but all the houses were rented out,"
said William Kaschl.

"All the basement windows were barred up and you couldn't see into the
homes," said Patrina. The windows of a neighbour who shared a home with one
of the pot-growing duplexes often fogged up from humidity.

The operation was so power-intensive some of the homes' transformers blew
from the strain.

Police found 2,000 plants only a month away from harvesting, as well as
elaborate lighting and ventilation systems carved into the structure of the
homes.

The bust led police to three more Chestermere homes which they raided
Saturday night.

Police recovered a further $1.5 million in equipment and plants, said De Goeij.

Of the 10 houses raided, only two were lived in, with the rest being used
for growing only, he said.

Five men face charges in connection with the busts.