POLICE MOW DOWN MAJOR WEED OPERATION

Police have dismantled a major marijuana-growing network and dealt a major
blow to southern Alberta's supply, uncovering $4.5 million worth of weed
and equipment.

"We're very pleased, it's certainly significant," said Strathmore RCMP
Staff Sgt. Glenn de Goeij.

Chestermere Mounties, alongside RCMP from Strathmore and agencies from
Brooks and Calgary, including the drug and forensic identification units,
conducted search warrants at seven residences in a Chestermere cul-de-sac
Friday.

Seven operations were dismantled and 2,000 plants were recovered. Total
value of drugs and equipment: About $3 million.

Further investigation led authorities to three others houses in Chestermere
the following day, where they discovered 900 more plants and equipment
worth about $1.5 million.

The haul last night garnered praise from Calgary police, which formed a
task force -- the so-called Green Team -- specifically to bust grow
operations in Calgary.

"This is a major accomplishment for the RCMP," said Calgary police Insp.
Rene Bailly.

De Goeij said the searches were part of ongoing investigations into
organized crime, and "demonstrate the resolve of the RCMP and Calgary city
police to work together with our communities in combatting illegal drugs."

Minh Van Tran, 48, of Chestermere, was arrested alongside Tam Thanh Nguyen,
36, of B.C. and Lam Tanh Le, 35, of Brantford, Ont., on Friday, while Ing
Soo Lee, 36, and Hok Man Tsang, 46, both of Calgary, were arrested during
Saturday's follow-up searches.

All were charged with cultivation, possession of cannabis for the purpose
of trafficking and theft of power.

All suspects will appear in Strathmore provincial court tomorrow.