A suspected marijuana grow-op operation has been found in an Edmonton home that was also used to provide private babysitting services, according to police.
After a two-month investigation, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) executed a search warrant at 10454 69 Avenue, a property in southwest Edmonton.
Police allege a 17-plant hydroponic marijuana grow operation and small quantities of marijuana and cannabis resin were found at the home.
“When we entered the property, we found electrical modifications to the furnace, along with fertilizers and chemicals present,” said Det. Cory Buerger.
Two adults, a husband and wife, are believed to be operating a babysitting service on the property. Their two young children also live in the home.
A total of seven children between the ages of two and five were allegedly being cared for at the home, ALERT said in a statement.
“Yes, it was a relatively small grow op by our standards, but that doesn’t make it any less serious, especially when you have toddlers crawling around in that environment.”
Colby Robert Atcheson, 32, and Tina Lemire, 30, face multiple charges including possession of a controlled substance and willfully causing a child to be endangered. They made their first court appearance on September 5 and have been granted bail.
The next scheduled court appearance is on September 26.
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