Medicine Hat Police: Firearms and Drug Related Offences

Medicine Hat Police: Firearms and Drug Related Offences

A 39-year-old Medicine Hat man is facing numerous firearms and drug related offences following an investigation by ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team, with assistance from the Medicine Hat Police Service.

On September 19, 2024, at approximately 2:20 PM, Kaden Schenkey was arrested following a vehicle stop completed by members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Tactical Team. During the arrest, Schenkey failed to comply with officer commands, resulting in the deployment of pepper ball munitions to allow officers to safely take him into custody.

Following the arrest, search warrants were executed at both his South Ridge area residence and at a storage unit located in the Cottonwood area.  The following items were seized during this investigation:

  • 11 firearms, many with ammunition in close proximity
  • A firearm suppressor
  • Body armour
  • 147 grams of cocaine
  • 34 grams of methamphetamine
  • 1.48 grams of fentanyl
  • 16.24 fluid oz of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
  • $5,440 in Canadian currency
  • Multiple cellular phones
  • Scales
  • Packaging material
  • 255 grams of buffing agent

 

Resulting from this investigation, Schenkey has been charged with multiple firearms-related offences including possession of a loaded firearm with ammunition, possession of a firearm knowing it was unauthorized, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, unsafe storage of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, possession of a firearm contrary to an order, and possess unauthorized body armour.

Schenkey has been further charged with the following drug-related offences; three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl, and proceeds of crime.

“This arrest is a significant step in protecting our community from dangerous criminal activity.,” said Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat. “Along with the suspect, we seized multiple firearms that posed a serious threat to public safety. By getting these firearms off the streets, we are taking a strong stand against violence and illegal drug operations. Our investigation remains ongoing, and we will continue to work with the community to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

Schenkey was held for a Judicial Interim Release bail hearing and has been remanded in custody with a court appearance schedule for September 24, 2024.

In Medicine Hat, members of the public who suspect drug activity can contact 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.

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.

Since 2022, CISA has been guided by four pillars that focus the effort to promote an integrated, intelligence-led approach to combating organized crime; these are:

  • Building Relationships with Stakeholders;
  • Promote Intel Sharing Across the Province;
  • Being Proactive and Identify Emerging Trends; and
  • Investing in Our People Through Training and Development

 

Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA) has recently developed an Alberta Firearms Intelligence Centre (AFIC) to equitably expand access to firearms intelligence for all law enforcement agencies within Alberta. AFIC will provide timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence to law enforcement agencies and policy-makers to achieve the shared and collaborative goals of increasing public safety concerning firearm-related crimes.

Protecting Kids Online | Internet Child Exploitation

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

FILE INTAKES

680

872

1,149

1,114

3,815

2,994

2,764

SUSPECTS CHARGED

22

16

34

37

109

81

125

CHARGES LAID

87

45

123

160

415

351

413

CHILDREN RESCUED

26

78

56

43

203

46

100

EXHIBITS SEIZED

335

368

545

476

1,724

1,243

1,845

TOTAL PHOTOS/VIDEOS

262,400

511,133

1,374,310

606,254

2,754,097

2,551,921

13,260,819

Stopping Human Trafficking | HUMAN TRAFFICKING & COUNTER EXPLOITATION

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

SUSPECTS CHARGED

13

10

7

4

34

30

76

CHARGES LAID

79

46

87

19

231

96

157

VICTIM INTERVENTIONS

30

29

17

37

113

28

22

Intelligence & Expertise | CISA / Training

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

INTELLIGENCE REPORTS

409

296

327

442

1,474

1,560

1,318

TRAINING COURSES

5

3

8

11

27

36

25

CANDIDATES TRAINED

321

56

135

350

862

933

638

Disrupt & Dismantle Organized Crime | Combined Special Forces Enforcement

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

SUSPECTS CHARGED

40

27

42

32

141

197

168

CHARGES LAID

176

156

237

231

800

1,088

820

FIREARMS SEIZED

105

53

26

48

232

102

126

EST. VALUE OF DRUGS SEIZED

$906,814

$553,851

$2,725,161

$1,148,337

$5,334,163

$10,898,269

$334,093,020

PROCEEDS OF CRIME SEIZED

$218,133

$52,970

$130,996

$230,195

$632,294

$1,432,847

$21,740,617

ANNUAL Regional ResultS

ARRESTS

CHARGES

FIREARMS

DRUGS

PROCEEDS

CALGARY

24

110

14

$937,422

$65,881

EDMONTON

17

131

45

$592,839

$272,446

FORT MCMURRAY

8

78

4

$352,942

$144,301

GRANDE PRAIRIE

7

17

13

$192,145

$31,855

LETHBRIDGE

7

29

44

$349,773

$51,245

LLOYDMINSTER

24

93

41

$164,134

$12,504

MEDICINE HAT

37

179

13

$293,108

$7,861

RED DEER

17

163

58

$2,451,800

$46,201

TOTALS

141

800

232

$5,334,163

$632,294

Organized Property Crimes | Auto Crimes

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

SUSPECTS CHARGED

1

1

2

1

10

CHARGES LAID

11

47

STOLEN VEHICLES

23

15

1

6

45

245

118

RECOVERED ASSETS

$1,432,000

$941,025

$108,000

$260,000

$2,741025

$8,420,500

$3,919,500

Firearms investigations | Firearms lab & Gang suPpression teams

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

FIREARMS EXAMINATIONS

349

351

243

235

1,178

EXHIBIT EXAMINATIONS

1,316

1,409

891

1,099

4,715

SERIAL NUMBER RESTORATIONS

31

34

19

24

108

IBIS SUBMISSIONS

343

421

1,334

304

2,402

GUN SEIZURES

1

14

15

SUSPECTS CHARGED

4

22

26

CHARGES LAID

41

144

185

Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) involves images and/or videos that depict the sexual abuse of minors – the majority of which involve prepubescent children. Often, CSAM involves explicit and/or extreme sexual assaults against the child victim (Cybertip.ca).

Learn more about Internet Child Exploitation and ALERT’s integrated teams combatting this issue.

Ghost Guns are illegal, privately manufactured firearms or lower receivers. These weapons are often made with 3D-printers, and undermine public safety due to their lack of licensing requirements, serialization and safety controls.

Learn more about Ghost Guns on ALERT’s dedicated Privately Manufactured Firearms info page