Six individuals are facing drug-related charges after RCMP raided five residences and located three marijuana grow operations on Stoney Nakoda First Nation, following a month-long investigation in April.
A total of 431 grams of marijuana and 184 marijuana plants — worth an estimated value of $392,865 — were seized by a project team of RCMP officers from the Cochrane detachment during the raid.
The team also seized about $795 in cash and two long barrelled rifles.
The investigation led Mounties to the three homes that had pot plants growing inside. Two other residences were searched as well, but are believed to be a part of a separate trafficking ring, said Cpl. Gary Fedrau of Cochrane RCMP.
“This kind of thing is not a common occurrence on the Stoney Nation,” said Fedrau. “But some residences came to our attention and investigation confirmed our suspicions.”
Hien Tuan Lam, 40, from Calgary, has been charged with production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking, and is also facing charges for possessing a firearm while prohibited and careless storage of a firearm. Lam is scheduled to appear in Cochrane Provincial Court May 30.
Son Hung Ngo, 50, also a Calgary resident, has been charged with production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Ngo appeared in court in Cochrane May 14.
Geraldine (Buffy) Myrna Bearspaw, 47, and John Anthony Sedo, 42, both of Morley, have been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime. Both Bearspaw and Sedo are expected to be in court May 21.
Bertrand Abraham, 31, and Jessica Nicole Ear, 26, also of Morley, have been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime and unsafe storage of a firearm. Abraham is facing an additional charge of trafficking in a controlled substance.
Both Abraham and Ear appeared in Cochrane Provincial Court May 14.
The April 5 break-and-enter at Bragg Creek’s Spirits West is still under investigation, said Fedrau.
Surveillance footage of the liquor store theft showed a Caucasian male ramming a dark-coloured truck into the front door of the store to gain entry, before leaving with more than $1,000 worth of liquor.
Fedrau said RCMP has no suspects at this time.
The culprit is described as standing between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11 with a slight build. At the time of the theft he was wearing a dark jacket with a light-coloured stripe down the sleeve and lettering across the chest, a dark toque with a decal on the side, and jeans.
The truck is a quad cab 4x4, with damage to the tailgate and taillights.
Anyone with information about this theft is encouraged to contact Cochrane RCMP at 403-851-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
