An Edmonton firefighter’s career could be in doubt, after he pleaded guilty to drug charges in court Thursday, admitting to running a massive marijuana grow operation in the city.
Najeeb Manah, 33, was sentenced Thursday in an Edmonton courtroom – after pleading guilty to one count of production of a controlled substance.
He faced a number of charges after Edmonton police moved in on his northeast Edmonton home on March 7, 2012.
Officers seized hundreds of marijuana plants valued at about $500,000 – alongside several pounds of processed marijuana and about $35,000 worth of equipment related to the grow op.
Following the guilty plea Thursday, Manah’s lawyer told the court his client had no prior criminal record that his client has two small children and he hopes he can continue working for Edmonton Fire Rescue.
However, it appears his future as a firefighter could be in jeopardy.
Edmonton’s Fire Chief Ken Block said criminal charges against members are rare, and they’re dealt with on a case-by-case basis – and right now, the matter is not in his hands.
“Our legal advisors have not yet been able to review what transpired in the courts, and we need to allow the appropriate due diligence to occur,” Block said.
On Thursday, Manah was handed a conditional sentence of two years less a day, because he pleaded guilty.
His sentence will be served in the community.
With files from David Ewasuk
