[420 Girl]

Civilian Worker Charged After Raids Seize $1.4 Million Worth Of Drugs

The Calgary Police Service has laid drug trafficking charges against one of its own after raiding marijuana grow op houses in Chestermere that led them to a civilian employee.

Lan Nguyen Dang, 30, has been working for police as an administrator in the section that oversees access to department buildings for the past two years.

She is suspended from the service without pay.

"It comes as a surprise; it's very unusual. We pride ourselves in having very capable, professional people, both civilian and sworn, so it's disappointing," said Supt. Ken Marchant of the specialized investigations division.

Police searched two homes early Tuesday -- one in the 100 block of Springmere Road and the other in the 100 block of Springmere Close.

Inside were sophisticated dirt marijuana growing operations with more than 400 plants, as well as 31.8 kilograms of packaged marijuana.

Later that day, a third search warrant was executed in Calgary, in the 400 block of Queen Charlotte Road S.E.

A large hydroponic marijuana growing operation was discovered inside.

Approximately 430 plants, with an estimated street value of $535,000, were located throughout the home.

In total, officers seized 832 plants from the houses along with the packaged marijuana, worth an estimated $1.4 million on the street.

Police say the woman had limited access to internal files and information.

"She would have had no access outside her duties," said Marchant.

The woman is charged with trafficking and production of marijuana and theft of utilities.

Marchant said both police and civilian staff go through a high level of security checks and clearance.

"I think that speaks to this being very unusual," Marchant said.

Police will likely review their security levels and screening process, he added.

"They are very well done. In my time with the Calgary Police Service, which is quite a few years now, this is the first I've ever seen."

An internal memo about the woman was sent to officers and staff today.

"It does have an impact, we're getting to be a fairly large organization and we are still fairly close," said Marchant.

The Southern Alberta Marijuana Investigative Team members believe two of the marijuana growing operations are connected, and continue to investigate.

Van Thanh Pham, 36, and Lan Nguyen Dang, 30, both of Chestermere, are charged with trafficking and production of marijuana and theft of utilities.

Dang and Pham are scheduled to appear in Strathmore provincial court on June 17.

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