Drug busts

Whitecourt RCMP continues to target the distribution of illicit street drugs in the community and surrounding areas. With assistance from the Whitecourt RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS), Drayton Valley GIS, Edson GIS, Edmonton’s Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT), Whitecourt Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) and Drug Undercover Street Team (DUST), seven individual arrests have been made under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. These concerted ongoing investigations will reduce the efforts of persons involved in criminal activities and organized crime from becoming established in our communities. The goal of these investigations will send a strong message to persons who continue to be involved in these types of illicit activities. Our communities will continue to address illicit street drug distribution and criminal activities to ensure safe homes and safe communities as part of our crime reduction strategy. The result of this collaborative policing effort resulted in various quantities of marijuana, cocaine, and fentanyl being removed from the streets of our community. The following persons have been arrested and are now facing various charges:

1. Andrew Gary WINSOR – charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine, two counts of trafficking fentanyl, and two counts of proceeds of crime.

2. Corbett THOMPSON – charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine and two counts of proceeds of crime.

3. Chad James LOWEN – charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine, two counts of proceeds of crime, and one count of possession of marijuana.

4. Tyra Jade LEMOAL – charged with one count of trafficking cocaine.

5. Dakota O’OBRIEN – charged with one count of trafficking cocaine in addition to one count of proceeds of crime.

6. Young Offender charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine and three counts of proceeds of crime.

7. Melissa HEIDT- charged with one count of trafficking cocaine.

This investigation is ongoing. Whitecourt RCMP are currently in the process of obtaining warrants of arrest for additional persons facing various charges of trafficking in illicit street drugs.

Whitecourt RCMP would like to remind everyone having any information on drug-related offences or any other criminal activities to please contact the Whitecourt RCMP at 780-779-5900. Additionally, should you have information on any criminal activity including drug-related offences and want to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), text messaging “CRIMES” (274637) and or submit a web tip by visiting http://www.tipsubmit.com.