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Warrant issued for man linked to Penhold drug house

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of one man connected to a drug house in Penhold that was shut down by police earlier this month.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of one man connected to a drug house in Penhold that was shut down by police earlier this month.

Derek Bergdal, 30, of Penhold was scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Dec. 17 to set a preliminary hearing date.

However, according to Alberta Justice, Bergdal missed the appearance and a warrant was issued for his arrest by Judge Jim Hunter.

Bergdal faces drug and firearm charges from his arrest on Aug. 7 at 52 Heartland Cres. in Penhold. He was arrested with Darren Ray, 32, also of Penhold.

According to a land title search, Ray is the owner of the property located at 52 Heartland Cres. He purchased it in May of 2011.

Ray is also charged with drugs, firearms and stolen property offences in relation to the bust. Ray waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Nov. 26 in Red Deer provincial court. He will next appear in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Jan. 4 for his arraignment and the setting of a trial date.

Innisfail RCMP with the assistance of the Calgary Emergency Response Team, Blackfalds RCMP and Red Deer RCMP General Investigation Section executed a search warrant on the property on Aug. 7. They said they found cocaine, crystal meth, GHB, morphine, prescription pills, two firearms, cash and stolen property.

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods team closed the house at 52 Heartland Cres. on Dec. 14. They were granted a court order, known as a Community Safety Order, to close the house for a 90-day period.

During this time, the owner and all tenants are barred from entering or occupying the property. Locks have been changed, windows and doors have been boarded up and the property has been fenced.

Innisfail RCMP said they had been called to the property 24 separate times over an eight-month period.

“This home has been a source of frustration for the neighbourhood with constant drug activity and related disturbances,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk, Innisfail RCMP. “RCMP values the role SCAN played in helping restore this community’s sense of safety by closing this home.”

mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com