Drugs Seized at Whitecourt Problem Property

Edmonton… A suspected drug house in Whitecourt has been raided by ALERT, and methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized.

On December 10, 2020, ALERT Edmonton’s [alert-tooltip title=”ALERT has organized crime teams based in seven cities across Alberta. Click for more info.”]organized crime team[/alert-tooltip] executed a search warrant at a home in Whitecourt. The home was reportedly a haven for drug activity and had generated a number of community complaints.

“This was an otherwise safe and quiet neighbourhood, and the negative impacts associated to drug activity shake the community’s sense of safety,” said Sgt. Ted Zadderey, Whitecourt RCMP.

A search of the home yielded small amounts of [alert-tooltip title=”Methamphetamine (or meth) is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It is often seen in the form of a white powder with a bitter taste or a pill. Click for more info.”]methamphetamine[/alert-tooltip] and [alert-tooltip title=”Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is much more powerful than many others in the opioid family, including heroin, morphine and codeine. Click for more info.”]fentanyl[/alert-tooltip]. Evidence of drug trafficking was noted by the presence of packing materials, scales, and discarded needles.

“Both Whitecourt RCMP and Mayerthorpe RCMP provided really good intelligence about drug trafficking concerns. ALERT was able to connect it back to this residence and take swift enforcement action,” said Staff Sgt. Lance Parker, ALERT Edmonton.

ALERT will be referring the home to Alberta Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhood (SCAN) team. SCAN uses civil legislation to target problem properties used for illegal purposes such as prostitution, drug use and trafficking, and gang activity.

Eight people were in the home at the time of the search. Charges are being contemplated.

Whitecourt is located approximately 180 kilometers northwest of Edmonton.

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-tooltip title=”More than 300 municipal police and RCMP officers work together in teams at ALERT to investigate everything from drug trafficking to child exploitation to gang violence. Click for more info.”]ALERT[/alert-tooltip] 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.