ARTICLES

Five people have been arrested after an ALERT investigation dismantled a drug trafficking network operating in southeast Alberta. More than $77,000 worth of drugs and cash were seized, along with a firearm.

The three-month investigation concluded on October 24, 2019, when ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team executed a search warrant on a residence in Brooks, Alta., with the help of Brooks RCMP and Medicine Hat Police Service. Investigators allege that the drug trafficking operation was active in both Brooks and Medicine Hat.

In total, ALERT investigators seized:

• 719 grams of methamphetamine;
• 93 grams of cocaine;
• a rifle;
• a machete; and
• $24,685 in cash proceeds of crime.

“These are significant amounts of drugs and cash to take out of the hands of criminals,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser, ALERT Medicine Hat. “Along with the weapons seized, this is a good step toward making the communities of both Brooks and Medicine Hat safer places to live.”

“Co-operation with partners like ALERT is integral to effective policing in southeast Alberta,” added Sgt. Bruce McDonald, acting commander of the Brooks RCMP detachment. “Cases such as this one demonstrate to criminals that they’ll still be found if they try to hide out in smaller centres.”

Kyle Potts, 33, is alleged to be at the centre of the network. He was arrested at the time of the search and charged with a total of 20 criminal offences, including:

• trafficking a controlled substance (x7);
• possession of proceeds of crime (x2);
• breach of recognizance (x7);
• possession of a weapon dangerous to the public;
• unauthorized possession of a firearm; and
• breach of a weapons prohibition (x2).

David Boyer, 33, and Daniel Morrison, 35, were also arrested at the time of the search. Boyer has been charged with one count each of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of proceeds of crime, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. Morrison has been charged with trafficking a controlled substance (x4) and possession of proceeds of crime.

Warrants were issued for two other suspects, who were both later arrested by Medicine Hat Police Service. Dallas Johnson, 27, was arrested on October 25, 2019, and charged with one count each of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of proceeds of crime, and breach of recognizance. David Kearley, 33, was arrested on October 30, 2019, and charged with trafficking a controlled substance (x2), possession of proceeds of crime, and breach of recognizance (x2).

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. Medicine Hat residents can also submit tips anonymously through the Medicine Hat Police Service mobile app, which 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.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser
Medicine Hat Organized Crime Team
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-529-8425

Tonight's the night! Children are looking forward to dressing up as their favorite character to go trick or treating through the neighbourhood. While it is an exciting time for kids, it is important for parents and homeowners to follow some simple safety tips to ensure it is also a safe time.
• Children should trick or treat in groups in a familiar neighbourhood. Younger children should be accompanied by a trusted adult who accompanies them to the door of every home they approach.
• Review road safety rules, such as looking both ways before crossing the road and create a specific route for children to follow. Stay on side of the street and then cross over at the end of the block. Avoid crisscrossing the street.
• Carry a flashlight for extra visibility and only visit homes where the lights have been turned on. Remind children to never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
• Ensure children are dressed for the weather and that their costumes are easily visible by incorporating bright colors and reflective taped. Avoid masks with limited visibility or use face paint instead.
• Inspect all candy received and throw away any unwrapped or unsealed items.
• Homeowners, turn on your home’s exterior lights so children can easily find the front door. Keep candles or other flammable items out of the reach of children.
• Secure pets for the evening as they may become frightened with all the unfamiliar visitors to your home.
• For the adults – if you have plans to go out to celebrate, don’t drive impaired, plan ahead to ensure you have a safe ride home.
Hope you have lots of fun tonight. Be safe and share pictures with us of your little ones all dressed up. We love to see their costumes.

The MHPS Traffic Unit will be conducting an over-dimensional load escort this morning commencing at 9:30 AM. The escort will travel from 10 Ave SW to the west town limits of Redcliff, westbound on Highway #1.  The escort is expected to take approximately one hour to complete so please plan your commute accordingly.  MHPS appreciates the motoring public's cooperation during these escorts and remind motorists to obey all police officer, pilot vehicle and flag person's directions.

In August of 2019 members of the MHPS K-9 unit obtained two new Police Service Dogs (PSD’s) in anticipation of fully staffing our K-9 unit. PSD Ace and PSD Kal were selected based upon their personality traits and their natural abilities. After six weeks of training it was determined that Ace was not suited for a career of police work that the Medicine Hat Police Service has come to expect from our police service dogs.

Members of our K-9 team returned Ace to their broker at no additional cost and he will eventually be put to use in a different capacity. We were able to select another PSD for training and deployment with the Police Service. We are pleased and excited to announce our newest K-9 officer, PSD Hutch who will commence training with his handler in the near future. We are also looking forward to the numerous Starsky and Hutch references.

Media Contact

Sgt. Clarke White
403-529-1979
 

The collision scene has been cleared 

Motor Vehicle Collision at Gershaw Drive and 5th Street SW. We request that all motorists please avoid the area. Traffic is down to one lane east bound, and all west bound lanes are closed. More information will be provided when it becomes available.

The Medicine Hat Police Service wants to advise and remind residents of a travelling group of criminals that are responsible for distraction thefts.  It is possible that these persons may be operating in the Medicine Hat area today.

The following are examples of how the criminals operate:

The suspects target jewelry stores and second hand stores. Two people may enter the store, one asks to see a piece of jewelry and use sleight of hand or distraction techniques to conceal it, while the other counts or shows a large amount of cash.

People may be targeted in box store parking lots or roadways. Someone may approach offering to sell a high priced piece of jewelry for a fraction of the price due to needing gas money. The jewelry turns out to be fake and worthless.

These groups have a history of targeting people in parking lots, using distraction to steal items such as purses, phones and other valuables.

If anyone has information, regarding these types of occurrences, please contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at, 403-529-8481 or by email at CIT@mhps.ca

Sgt. Kesler 

A search of two Medicine Hat homes turned up cocaine, cash, and weapons. The searches were part of an ALERT drug trafficking investigation.

The two homes were searched on October 9, 2019 with the help of the Medicine Hat Police Service. ALERT seized 347 grams of cocaine, $37,515 cash, and various prohibited weapons, including brass knuckles and knives.

“The drug trade is an inherently violent business, and in this case the suspect was bound by a weapons prohibition,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser, ALERT Medicine Hat.

Shane Peters was arrested leaving a residence in the North Flats area. The 34-year-old man has been charged with:

• possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking;
• possession of proceeds of crime;
• possession of a prohibited weapon; and
• breach of a court order.

ALERT’s investigation began in September 2019 when information was received about suspected drug trafficking.

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.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser
Medicine Hat Organized Crime Team
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-529-7459

Come and get your child safety seat checked by technicians today from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.  The check will be held at the Walmart parking lot, 2051 Strachan Rd SE. The South Eastern Alberta Traffic Safety Coalition members will be on hand to assist with proper child safety seat installation. 

During the early morning hours of October 15th, members of MHPS patrol team 4 conducted a vehicle stop on a 26 year old Medicine Hat man. As a result of the vehicle stop, investigators located a loaded, sawed off 12 gauge shotgun. The subject of this investigation is facing numerous firearms offences as well as possession of break in instruments, breach of probation and breach of recognizance.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section has charged at 15-year-old male in connection with a robbery of a convenience store that occurred in late September 2019.

On September 30, 2019 at about 1:10 AM, an unknown male entered a convenience store located on Carry Drive SE, produced a weapon and demanded cash from the staff member. The male then fled the area with an undisclosed amount of money and merchandise. No physical injuries were sustained during the robbery.

The offender is awaiting charges of robbery with a firearm (or imitation) and wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence. He is currently held in police custody awaiting a bail hearing to determine his conditions if released from custody. Due to the offender’s age, his identity cannot be released.

The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to thank members of the public for their assistance in providing information to assist with this investigation.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Chad Holt
Major Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421