Cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis with a combined street value of about $100,000 was seized by police in a sting operation in Red Deer that led to the arrests of two men.
On Thursday, the Red Deer Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit executed search warrants at an apartment complex and hotel suite in Red Deer.
Using police dogs, the team — part of a government-funded body working against organized crime — found and seized nearly a kilogram of cocaine, quantities of methamphetamine and cannabis resin, as well as more than a kilogram of a substance believed to be a cutting agent. A taser and brass knuckles were also seized in the search.
“This is a significant seizure, for sure. A good seizure for our unit,” said Sgt. Gerald Ouellet, of the Red Deer Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. It’s part of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT), which is made up of municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs.
Despite the public attention that’s been focused on newer street drugs, such as crystal meth, it shows that cocaine is still a drug of choice in the area, Ouellet added.
He said the investigation revealed that suspects were attempting to move large volumes of cocaine in Red Deer. “Based on our information, we were able to act fast and make an arrest.”
The locations of the sting operation are not being released as the investigation is on-going.
Divahn Denrick Matthie, 25, and Tyler Dwayne Jameson, 25, were both arrested without incident and face six drug and weapons-related charges each. These include possession of various illegal drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime worth more than $5,000, and possession of prohibited weapons.
They will appear in provincial court on Monday morning.