RCMP in Nanton made a significant seizure of cannabis plants.

On Nov. 13 at 11 a.m., police say they responded to a report of a suspicious male at a rural residence near Highway 2 and Township Road 170.

The male had indicated he had been involved in a motor vehicle collision and needed a ride.

Nanton and High River RCMP attended the scene and located the unoccupied and damaged vehicle in the driveway of a rural property where the door had been left open.

While officers were searching for the occupant of the vehicle, a person who matched the description of the suspicious male exited a building, leaving the door open.

RCMP say members saw a large quantity of plants inside the building.

According to police, a 27-year-old male from Edmonton was arrested for leaving the scene of a collision and charged a number of offences under the Criminal Code, Traffic Safety Act, and the Trespass to Premises Act, including:

- Failure to comply with Recognizance
- Drive while unauthorized
- Drive uninsured motor vehicle
- Operate unregistered motor vehicle
- Trespass on premises

An investigation into the cannabis grow operation was immediately conducted by Nanton RCMP.

A search warrant was issued at the property around 11 p.m. that evening which resulted in 250 mature cannabis plants being seized.

Police say that Leslie Nicole Gurr, 51, and Randle Mackenzie Loree, 36, both of Nanton, are charged with the following offences under the Cannabis Act:

-Unauthorized production of cannabis
-Possession for use in production or distribution of illicit cannabis
-Cultivation, propagation and harvesting exceeding dwelling house limit
-Cultivation, propagation and harvesting without authorization

Gurr and Loree have been scheduled to appear in Fort Macleod Provincial Court on Jan. 8, 2020.

 

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