Two men are facing charges after an RCMP operation was launched to stem the flow of drugs into Maskwacis.
Maskwacis General Investigation Section officers uncovered evidence earlier this year that a suspect was transporting illegal drugs into the four Maskwacis communities, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Samson Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, and the Montana First Nation.
In response, Project Medicinae was launched in April and in the following weeks, with assistance from the St. Albert RCMP Drug Unit, Maskwacis GIS identified a suspect accused of bringing drugs into the community and another suspect of being the street-level trafficker in the communities.
On May 11, Maskwacis GIS and the St. Albert RCMP Drug Unit officers executed three search warrants at residences in St. Albert and Samson Cree Nation and at one vehicle.
Police seized 121 grams of cocaine worth $10,500 and $1,200 in cash.
A 47-year-old Samson Cree Nation man and a 37-year-old St. Albert man were charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The St. Albert suspect is also facing a charge of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.
“This is a significant seizure of illegal drugs that won’t be distributed into our communities, and a thank you to the St. Albert RCMP for your help.” says Maskwacis RCMP Const. Jake Colbeck in a news release. “This is a great example of two detachments working together with the goal of disrupting and dismantling the illegal drug trafficking that is going on.”
The two suspects were released from custody and one is due in St. Albert Provincial Court on June 6 and the other is scheduled to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court on June 14.