20-01-09 JAHNTZ, Chrissy
20-01-09 BUSHELL, Craig
Calgary, AB,
09
January
2020
|
07:51
America/Denver

Three people and three companies charged in illicit cannabis sales

Three individuals, and three companies have been charged by the Calgary Police Service and The City of Calgary in relation to the operation of an illicit cannabis manufacture and online distribution network.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, police were called to an apartment suite in the 1200 block of 17 Ave. S.W., for reports of a break and enter. Upon arrival, officers located an illegal cannabis operation within the apartment. The residents were no where to be found.

Later that same day, a Cannabis Act warrant was executed on the apartment to facilitate the search and seizure of the products within. Approximately $163,000 worth of cannabis products were seized including dried cannabis in different strains (3,571 grams), pre-rolled joints, several types of edibles, oils and cannabis infused creams.

A lengthy investigation was conducted by police with the assistance of The City of Calgary Business Licensing and Development Inspection Services, and in consultation with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).

During the investigation, evidence was obtained which identified an illegal online cannabis business being operated under the names Holdenherb and Graydon Green Compassion Club. Two individuals, who were originally denied licences by AGLC and The City of Calgary, were believed to have been operating the illicit online sales.

The two individuals are believed to have fled Calgary, likely to Nova Scotia, and are currently wanted on warrants by police for the possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling.

Chrissy Jennifer JAHNTZ, 34, is described as Caucasian, 5’6” tall and approximately 100 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes.

Craig Graydon Douglas BUSHELL, 40, is described as Caucasian, 5’10” tall and 165 pounds, bald with hazel eyes.

Photos of JAHNTZ and BUSHELL can be found on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

The investigation also revealed the property manager of the apartment building to be complicit in the operation of the illicit cannabis operation. Investigators from The City of Calgary Development Inspection Services and Business Licensing, have charged JAHNTZ, BUSHELL, Scott Raymond TULK (age 39), Vista Group Inc., Graydon Green Compassion Club, and Alberta Numbered companies 2007668 and 2099942, with the following:

  • 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

Penalties under these regulatory charges include fines up to $10,000 and/or up to six months in jail. Penalties under the criminal charges laid by police range from a fine of $5,000 to 14 years in jail.

“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,” says Calgary Police Service Det. Chris Pollock. “The only legal way to purchase cannabis online in Alberta is through the AGLC website, AlbertaCanabis.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 City of Calgary has worked hard with federal and provincial agencies to create a legal path for the production, processing, sale and distribution of cannabis products. As a result, we have zero tolerance for those who choose to operate outside these rules,” says Chris Meakin, Chief Development Inspector. “Our role is to enforce municipal cannabis regulations when it comes to individuals or businesses choosing to not comply with Calgary’s land use permitting and licensing requirements. We will continue to collaborate with our partners in the Calgary Police Service and provincial and federal agencies to ensure compliance with these requirements.”

“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. 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,” says Dave Berry, Vice President, Regulatory Services, AGLC.

This remains an ongoing investigation and additional charges may be pending.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of JAHNTZ and BUSHELL, or illicit grow and distribution operations such as this one are asked to contact the police non-emergency number 403-266-1234, or The City of Calgary by calling 3-1-1. Tips can also be left anonymously through Crime Stoppers:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: "P3 Tips" App

Case #19364371/4416