Red Deer RCMP recover $19,000 worth of stolen cannabis

July 11, 2024 | David Brown

RCMP in Red Deer, Alberta, say they recovered some $19,000 worth of stolen cannabis, along with firearms, ammunition, and other stolen property, while executing a search warrant on July 3.

Police say they believe the cannabis was connected to a series of break-ins at a retail location in Wetaskiwin.

“As a business, when you lose $19,000 worth of product in a break-and-enter that has a significant impact on your ability as a business owner to run your business. Recovering some of the product will hopefully help to mitigate that,” Sgt. Robert Daisley of Red Deer RCMP’s Crime Reduction Team (CRT) said.

Two individuals known to police, Matthew Stewart, 38, and Tia Cobbe, also 38, both of Red Deer, were arrested. Both face numerous charges.

In addition to the stolen cannabis and weapons, police say they seized methamphetamine and a collection of hockey cards that includes a Wayne Gretzky rookie card.

“People who engage in property crime often work together in networks; mostly informal, not like gangs, but people who are involved in this kind of stuff know each other,” added Daisley. “I think, although it’s not organized crime, it will have an impact on that social network of people who are involved in these.”

The cannabis products are believed to be connected to a series of break-ins at a retail location in Wetaskiwin.

Stewart is scheduled to appear in court on July 30, 2024, and Cobbe on July 12, 2024. Both remain in custody and are scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

Wetaskiwin RCMP were looking for two suspects connected to an alleged break-in at a cannabis store near Wetaskiwin in May. The two suspects made up with products from the store.

In January, Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to an armed robbery at Budzz and Roses cannabis store in Millet, Alberta. A police report notes the suspects took cash and cell phones but not products.

Cannabis stores in Canada continue to be targets for robbers and burglars. In March, a man in Toronto was arrested following several cannabis store robberies. In December 2023, police in Calgary identified suspects in a string of cannabis store robberies.

Police in Edmonton were searching for two suspects in a cannabis store robbery on June 17 by a pair local police say were involved in other armed robberies and carjackings.

In late 2023, Calgary Police were investigating a string of cannabis store robberies.

Robberies and burglaries are not exclusive to cannabis stores. Two cannabis producers in BC were robbed in early-morning heists in 2023, as well.