Drugs, Cash, and Shotgun Seized in Medicine Hat Raids

Medicine Hat… Following two separate investigations in Medicine Hat last week, ALERT has seized a shotgun and more than $30,000 worth of drugs and proceeds of crime.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team made the arrests and seizures with help from Medicine Hat Police Service and RCMP officers. The quick-hit investigations are part of the integrated unit’s latest efforts to disrupt street-level dealers operating in the region.

On February 18, 2017 ALERT searched an apartment suite in the Medicine Hat`s northeast and seized $15,000 worth of drugs and cash, alongside a shotgun. The following items were seized:

• Shotgun with 30 rounds of ammunition;
• 61 grams of methamphetamine;
• 68 grams of cocaine;
• 13 grams of cannabis resin;
• $1,600 cash proceeds of crime.

Taylor Weiss-Linder, a 20-year-old man from Medicine Hat, is charged with trafficking (x 3), possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 2), possession of a controlled substance, possession of proceeds of crime, possession of a loaded restricted weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, and breach of recognizance (x 9).

Mackenzie Osgood, a 19-year-old man from Medicine Hat, is charged with drug trafficking.

Earlier in the week, on February 17, 2017, ALERT found $17,600 worth of cash and drugs in the search of a hotel room in the city’s northwest. The following items were seized:

• 86 fentanyl pills;
• 29 Oxycodone pills;
• 2.5 litres of GHB;
• 16 grams of cocaine;
• 1.5 grams of methamphetamine;
• 1 gram of heroin;
• $5,120 cash proceeds of crime.

Aaron Bodnaruk, a 31-year-old man from Red Deer, is charged with drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 5), possession of a controlled substance (x 2), possession of proceeds of crime, and breach of recognizance (x 5).

Bodnaruk’s breach charges stem from a previous Medicine Hat Police investigation that occurred in December 2016, and drug charges from Blackfalds RCMP in January 2017.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.