Red Deer RCMP pulled a huge amount of drugs off the streets as part of an investigation that initially focused on property crime.
On May 21, police seized 19 litres of GHB (commonly known as the date rape drug), 1,979 grams of psilocybin (magic mushrooms), 773 grams of methamphetamine, and more from a Riverside Meadows residence.
Police said Thursday the size of the GHB seizure, which is also a psychedelic drug, was comparable to a very large seizure made recently in Calgary.
“It’s a very large seizure for a community our size. There is a potential for this to be equal to nearly 20,000 doses,” said Red Deer RCMP Insp. Mark Groves.
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Red Deer RCMP investigate, seize kilogram of drugs
The investigation, which began in April looked into the source of the drugs, which also included 475 grams of marijuana, 27 grams of cocaine, 29 grams of DMT, five grams of fentanyl, and 167 grams of MDMA.
“Red Deer is not the source city so we’re always striving to find out where the initial drugs came from and if organized crime is involved.”
Groves said gangs were not involved.
A semi-automatic prohibited shotgun was also seized.
“There was plenty of ammunition. The number of shells was substantial so it was capable of lots of damage. There was also a flash suppressor that was with the shotgun.”
Police found over $20,000, and two stolen all-terrain vehicles: a 2020 Can Am Outlander quad, and a Konker motorcycle.
Groves said the investigation was originally started by the Red Deer’s property crime unit, which shows the link between property crime and drugs.
Related:
Red Deer RCMP seize drugs, cash and guns worth $90K from suspected drug dealers
Supt. Gerald Grobmeier said investigations that lead to the capture of high level drug traffickers are critical for taking dangerous substances off the streets and making the community a safer place for everyone.
“Seizures of this nature exemplify how our crime reduction strategy is being achieved. Through dedicated police investigations and intelligence analysis, we were able to focus in on criminal activity that poses the greatest risk to the community,” Grobmeier said.
Two men and two women, all from Red Deer, were charged as a result of the investigation.
Anthony White, 41, and Stephanie Johnson, 37, each face five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of possession of property over $5,000, and one count of possession of stolen property.
Richard Dryborough-Browes, 51, and Keira Hopkins, 22, each face three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of careless use/storage of a firearm, and one count of possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
All four are scheduled to appear at Red Deer Provincial Court on July 15.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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