A major marijuana grow operation near Rimbey has been busted by RCMP.
On Monday, police executed a search warrant in relation to alleged electrical power theft at a farm.
Rimbey RCMP and the joint RCMP/Edmonton Police Service Green Team then found 2,325 marijuana plants in various stages of growth inside a large pig barn on the property.
It appeared that this represented approximately half of the operation. The other half had apparently already been harvested.
About $30,000 worth of cannabis production equipment was also found at the site.
As a result, on Tuesday police executed a search warrant at two residences in Red Deer and a warrant has been issued for a 28-year-old male.
Police have not yet identified him but he is being sought for offences in relation to power theft, production of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking.
Police said if all plants seized at the Rimbey operation matured to produce the average yield, the total production could have yielded approximately 1,162,500 joints or marijuana cigarettes.
Investigators ask anyone who may have information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1- 800-222- 8477 (TIPS).
The investigation continues.