A Cochrane man is facing charges and charges are pending in another investigation following two local marijuana busts by Cochrane RCMP.
The Cochrane General Investigation Section completed an investigation into drug trafficking on Powell Street Oct. 11, resulting in the arrest of a resident. The section seized marijuana, illegal mushrooms, cash and a firearm at the home, said Cpl. Mel Calahasen
Gerald Zane Byatt of Cochrane has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of trafficking a controlled substance and one count of possession of proceeds of crime. Byatt is expected to appear in Cochrane court later this month.
On Oct. 3, RCMP were called to investigate what was believed to be an illegal marijuana grow-op on Glendale Way, stated a media release from the local detachment. Emergency services personnel located the marijuana plants while attending a medical distress call.
“The investigation concluded that the resident did possess a Health Canada licence to produce marijuana, but was growing almost 75 per cent more than his permit allowed,” said Calahasen.
Calahasen said the resident — who was still in a Calgary hospital at press time — was permitted to have 30 plants. RCMP found 52 plants in total.
A 34-year-old Cochrane man has been charged with fraud through mails and use of counterfeit stamps, following an investigation by the RCMP’s Calgary Financial Integrity Team and the Alberta Partnership Against Cross Border Fraud.
On Oct. 10, fraud and forgery charges were laid against two males and one female relating to international mail fraud being perpetrated from the Calgary area on American victims. Daniel Tochukwu Ezeani of Cochrane has been charged with fraud through mails and use counterfeit stamps. Ezeani, along with Emmanuel Davies Uzonwanne and Tina Marie Trowbridge of Calgary, are accused of using a mystery shopper scam to defraud 10 U.S. residents.
