Medicine Hat drug dealers preyed on vulnerable, addicted

Medicine Hat… Ten drug traffickers have been charged in an ALERT investigation that aimed to disrupt street-level drug sales in the Medicine Hat.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team targeted street-level drug dealers operating in the downtown core and who were allegedly involved in distributing and profiting from the sale of fentanyl to the vulnerable street and addicted population.

“ALERT launched this investigation in late December 2023 to undermine the illicit supply that was targeting a vulnerable population and causing harm in our community,” said Staff Sergeant Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

The investigation culminated on January 31, 2024 after a hotel room was searched with the help of the Medicine Hat Police Service.

In total, more than $40,000 worth of drugs were seized, including:

• 134 grams of fentanyl;
• 204 grams of methamphetamine;
• 19 grams of cocaine;
• 61 illicit prescription pills; and
• $4,000 cash.

The suspects face a total of 48 criminal offences. All of the suspects are known to police for similar drug trafficking offences and several of the suspects are being charged with breaching current probation orders.

The following suspects have all been charged with at least one charge of drug trafficking:

• Stacey Heidel, 48 years old;
• Danny Snyder, 40 years old;
• Wendy Scott, 39 years old;
• Donald Jamieson, 48 years old;
• Cory Snyder, 44 years old;
• Brandon Pudwell, 31 years old;
• Douglas Abraham, 44 years old;
• Tristan Skappak, 33 years old;
• Daniel Giurissevich, 60 years old; and
• Jared Martin, 28 years old.

In Medicine Hat, members of the public who suspect drug activity can contact the MHPS by calling 403-529-8481 or submitting tips online (anonymously if preferred) via the website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app. The app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Albertans 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.