The road to Wiebo Ludwig's Trickle Creek Farm is blocked as the RCMP continue their search of the property. (Jimmy Jeong/Canadian Press)

Convicted bomber Wiebo Ludwig was released without charge from a jail in Grande Prairie, Alta., as police continued to search his property Saturday as part of their investigation into a series of attacks on pipelines in British Columbia.

Several hours after Ludwig's release, RCMP Insp. Tim Shields told reporters that police have obtained new evidence in the case "within the past 24 hours." He declined to provide details.

"I'm not saying it came from this farm, but we will be submitting it to Crown counsel for their consideration," he said.

Police are investigating six natural gas pipeline bombings near Dawson Creek, B.C., since October 2008, along with letters demanding that Calgary-based energy company EnCana cease operations.

A team of heavily armed officers remained on Ludwig's farm outside Hythe, Alta., on Saturday. Their five-day search warrant mentions red and blue pens, writing paper, recording equipment and explosives, according to Ludwig's lawyer, Paul Moreau.

He is wondering what changed for investigators in the last 24 hours because they had told Ludwig he would be charged with extortion of EnCana, but then released him.

"Clearly the police felt they had reasonable and probable grounds at that point. He was in custody for about 24 hours in RCMP cells in Grande Prairie," said Moreau.

"And this morning they've released him without charging him. So apparently they must feel they no longer have those reasonable and probable grounds."

The controversial 68-year-old farmer and eco-activist spent 19 months in jail on charges related to sour gas well bombings in Alberta in the late 1990s.

Ludwig has long argued that oil and gas projects near his farm were hurting the health of his family and livestock.

After spending the night in custody, Ludwig said little to reporters, but showed his disdain for the oil and gas industry.

"I just want to go home, connect the dots and see where we go from here," he said as he walked to his truck, where his son and wife were waiting. "Someone still has to fight the oil and gas industry."

The longtime activist was arrested Friday after agreeing to meet with an investigator in the case.

Wiebo Ludwig, seen here in Edmonton in February 2007, was released from custody without charge on Saturday. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

"[The investigator] was interested in talking to my dad in talking about dealing with the larger issues of industry, pollution and finding larger solutions to the problems, so my dad agreed to meet with him on those grounds," said Josh Ludwig.

Instead of holding a meeting, RCMP officers surrounded the Ludwigs' car as soon as they arrived outside a hotel in Grande Prairie.

"I was informed he was arrested under the charge of extortion, and they gave me very few details beyond that," the younger Ludwig said.

Ludwig's friend, Richard Boonstra, who also lives on Trickle Creek farm with his family, served three weeks for the vandalism.

The RCMP has blocked a road leading to the Ludwig farm, about 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, where up to 50 people live in several buildings.

Police have a search warrant authorized by judges in Vancouver and Edmonton that allows officers to remain on the 325-hectare property.

"We have the legal authority to be on the property for up to five days and we don't know yet how long we'll be here," Shields said.

"We are working as quickly as we can, around the clock, in an effort to minimize the amount of disruption to residents on the property." The families living on the commune have been very co-operative with investigators, he added.

Police are asking the public for help in the ongoing investigation, said Shields.

"There is still a $1-million reward that is unclaimed that is being offered by EnCana. We're looking for any new information that anyone might have that would completely break this case over and see quick resolution to it."

Moreau said Friday his client, a former pastor with the Christian Reformed Church, was "surprised and taken back" by his arrest. The lawyer pointed out Ludwig had written an open letter to the B.C. bomber in September, asking for an end to the attacks.

With files from The Canadian Press