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Medicine Hat… Two suspected drug dealers are facing a total of 13 criminal charges after ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team seized nearly $78,000 worth of drugs.
On Thursday, September 6, ALERT investigators executed a search warrant on a locker in a storage facility in Brier Industrial Estates. Inside the locker, they found and seized methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl powder and buffing agent.
Later that day, two individuals associated with the storage locker were located at a hotel on 13 Avenue S.E. Both were arrested with the assistance of the Medicine Hat Police Service, and investigators were able to seize more methamphetamine, cocaine and buffing agent, along with $20,000 in cash proceeds of crime.
All told, the drugs seized had an estimated street value of $77,980, and included approximately:
“This seizure is definitely a major victory for our team and for the safety of the Medicine Hat community,” said Staff Sgt. Cory Both, ALERT. “But we also know there are more drugs and more dealers out there, and this only motivates the team to continue the work to clean up our streets.”
Nicolas Belanger, a 29-year-old man, and Devan Koehle, a 19-year-old woman, have each been charged with five counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking and one count of possession of proceeds of crime. Belanger has also been charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance.
This investigation began in August 2018.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police (MHPS non-emergency line: 403-529-8481), or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous. In Medicine Hat, you can also submit tips anonymously online at https://mhps.ca/posts/post/796.
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.
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The work we do is about our communities, and that’s why we recognize that residents can be instrumental in tackling serious crime. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime, or you suspect criminal activity, please reach out. Your information will remain strictly confidential.
Thank you for helping to make Alberta safer by being actively involved and reporting suspicious activity.
