Massive hash seizure

The largest hashish seizure in Alberta history was made earlier this month in Edmonton.

Members of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) found 30 one-kilogram bricks inside a storage locker on Oct. 1.

The drugs are valued at $600,000 and were found alongside six pounds of marijuana and $5,000 cash.

Craig Bendy Matthiessen, a 49-year-old Edmonton man, was also found at the storage locker. He has been charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, as well as possession of a controlled substance, and possession of proceeds of crime.

Cops were tipped off through CrimeStoppers, who received a tip from the public.

In the past five months, a number of significant drug seizures have been made in the Prairie province:

• heroin – 14 kilograms, valued at $5.6 million (Jun. 4, 2014);
• marihuana - 292 kilograms, valued at $2.9 million (Jun. 4, 2014);
• steroids – 365,268 tablets, 10,583 vials, 1,374 powder, valued at $9.3 million (Sep. 25, 2014);
• hashish – 30 kilograms valued at $600,000 (Oct. 1, 2014).

Hashish is a form of marijuana made by collecting and compressing the plant.

ALERT says they have experienced an increase in hash seizures, which they attribute to the increase of e-cigarettes.