Two Calgary medical marijuana grow-ops operating illegally

CALGARY – Two men are facing criminal charges in separate cases of medical marijuana grow-ops that were operating illegally.

In both cases, the medicinal sites were violating their licenses by growing more than the number of plants they were permitted to.

The grow ops were located in the communities of Sherwood and Harvest Hills.

Officers removed 164 marijuana plants from the Sherwood home, as well as hash oil, psilocybin and processed marihuana. The estimated value of the seized drugs and plants is $216,000.

Police arrested 36-year-old Dennis Bassett, charging him with production of a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, theft of utilities and theft under $5,000.

Meanwhile, officers removed 165 marijuana plants from the Harvest Hills home, the value of which is an estimated $206,000.

Fang Xie, 44, was arrested on January 27th and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, theft of electricity and theft under $5,000.

Officers began investigating both sites after tips from the public concerning the suspected theft of electricity.

Inspections of both homes confirmed an electrical and water bypasses, and both residences were deemed uninhabitable following a health inspection.