EDMONTON – Downtown police officers executed a search warrant on a home near 96 Street and 111 Avenue last week, shutting down a marijuana grow operation “in its early stages.”
When officers searched the property, they found the grow operation with lights and hydroponic equipment, marijuana seeds, drug trafficking items, improvised weapons and three guns stored “in an unsafe manner,” police said.
“The residence in this investigation is located within blocks of an elementary school and daycare centre,” Staff Sgt. Chris Edge said. “It’s very concerning for both police and residents in the area.”
Two women were arrested at the downtown home. One of them had a replica firearm, trafficking paraphernalia and a small amount of meth in her possession, EPS said.
Two men and another woman were arrested March 2 during a vehicle stop in connection to the investigation. Police searched the vehicle and seized:
- 190 prescription pills (worth about $5,700);
- 1 gun;
- 1 baton;
- Break-and-enter tools;
- About $10,000 worth of stolen property.
Five people have been charged with a variety of drug and weapon-related offences, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public and possession of stolen property.