Two people from Eckville and an inmate at Drumheller Institution are facing charges in relation to an alleged drug-trafficking operation that involved a drone dropping packages into the prison.
The operation was dismantled in May 2023 following a “complex investigation” led by Drumheller RCMP’s General Investigative Services, police said in a media release on Thursday. Several drones, and a large amount of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized.
The investigation continued and RCMP identified a suspect and a suspect inmate who were facilitating the introduction of drugs and phones into the Drumheller Institution via illicit drone flights, according to police.
On March 15, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Eckville. As a result police seized 1.3 kg of cocaine, 2.2 kg of methamphetamine, 2.1 grams of fentanyl, Canadian currency and a money counter, two prohibited weapons, two drones, cell phones, a loaded shotgun and break-in instruments.
Multiple RCMP units have assisted throughout the investigation, including from the Sylvan Lake and Blackfalds detachments.
A 39-year-old Eckville woman and a 32-year-old inmate are jointly charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and possession of proceeds of crime.
The woman is also jointly charged with a 19-year-old Eckville man with possession of methamphetamine with the purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited weapon, unsafe storage of a firearm, possession of break-in instruments and possession of proceeds of crime.
The Eckville woman has been released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on June 17. A warrant of arrest has been issued for the Eckville man. The inmate remains incarcerated and awaits a court date.
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