Innisfail RCMP seized almost 240 kilograms of marihuana plants and harvested marihuana from an illegal grow op during a search warrant at a rural property in Red Deer County East of Innisfail on March 24.

The investigation began earlier this year when ALERT received information about an illegal marihuana grow operation and confirmed that the suspect was not licensed or approved to grow marihuana.

At that point, Innisfail RCMP General Investigations Section took over the investigation and executed a search warrant on an outbuilding at an acreage on Range Road 270 on March 24.

RCMP seized 739 marihuana plants weighing just over 182 kilograms, harvested marihuana weighing almost 54 kilograms, and almost 3 kilograms of dried marihuana bud.

A working hash oil extraction lab and equipment was also seized.

The outbuilding contained 8 seacans outfitted with sophisticated equipment including high intensity grow lights, fans, air conditioners, CO2 generators, dehumidifiers and light timers.

41 year old Shaun Charles Howell faces the following charges and appear in court in Red Deer on May 18 at 9:30 am:

section 7(1) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act - Production of Cannabis Marihuana and, section 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act - Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.