3 Calgary companies charged for illicit cannabis sales: police

In an investigation dating back to August 2019, the Calgary Police Service has now laid charges against three companies and three people for allegedly illicit cannabis operations.

A January 9 release from CPS states that police had located an illegal cannabis operation within an apartment on the 1200 block of 17th Avenue SW in the early hours of August 24, 2019.

Around $163,000 worth of cannabis products were seized from the apartment later that same day, which included over 3,500 grams of cannabis, pre-rolled joints, edibles, oils, and infused creams.

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Following an investigation, police state that they discovered two illegal online cannabis businesses running under the names Holdenherb and Graydon Green Compassion Club.

Police also believe that 34-year-old Chrissy Jahntz and 40-year-old Craig Bushell, who had originally been denied licences by AGLC and the City of Calgary, according to the release, were operating the illegal sales through the online businesses.

Jahntz is described in the release as a Caucasian, standing 5’6″ tall, around 100 lbs, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Bushell is described as Caucasian, 5’10” tall, 165 lbs, with a bald head and hazel eyes.

Police believe that the two have since fled to Nova Scotia, as they are wanted on warrants of possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling.

“Illicit operations such as this pose a significant danger to the neighbours, especially in an apartment. The process used to extract concentrates has a high potential for causing explosions. Operations that include grows also have added fire and mould risks,” said Calgary Police Service Det. Chris Pollock in the release.

“The only legal way to purchase cannabis online in Alberta is through the AGLC website, AlbertaCannabis.org. If you are purchasing from other sites, you are enabling this kind of dangerous activity right in your own neighbourhood. We will not stand for people putting our communities at risk for the sake of a quick buck.”

The investigation also allegedly uncovered that the property manager of the apartment building in question had been complicit in the illegal cannabis operation, leading to 39-year-old Scott Tulk facing multiple charges.

Tulk, Jahntz, Bushell, and companies Vista Group Inc., Graydon Green Compassion Club, and Alberta Numbered companies 2007668 and 2099942, have all been charged with:

• Unlawfully carrying on the business of a cannabis store without a valid City of Calgary Business Licence contrary to Section 3(1) of The City of Calgary Business Licence Bylaw 32M98
• Operating a Cannabis Store without a development permit where one is required contrary to Section 49(2)(b) of the Land Use Bylaw 1P2007
• Operating a Cannabis Facility that is not a permitted or a discretionary use in the land use district contrary to Section 49(2)(c) of the Land Use Bylaw 1P2007

The release states that the regulatory charges could result in fines of up to $10,000 and/or up to six months in jail, while the criminal charges could see a fine of $5,000 to up to 14 years in jail.

“By providing legal, regulated cannabis products, AGLC offers Albertans product choices from federally licensed producers that are regulated by Health Canada, where the ingredients have been lab tested and are known to exclude substances that been identified as unsafe,” said Dave Berry, vice president of regulatory services with AGLC, in the release.

“Consumers have unprecedented access to regulated cannabis products in stores throughout Alberta and online at AlbertaCannabis.org, where proper precautions are taken by retailers and AGLC to ensure cannabis does not fall into the hands of youth.”

Anyone with information on Jahntz’s or Bushell’s whereabouts, or on illicit cannabis operations, are asked to contact the Calgary Police Service’s non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be left anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or through their website.