Prince Albert Police seize drugs, guns and find illegal cannabis grow op
Police arrested a 36-year-old man and a 47-year-old man during the investigation
Prince Albert Police along with other law enforcement units seized a significant quantity of illicit drugs, firearms, and drug trafficking paraphernalia in February after a months-long investigation.
On Feb. 20 police arrested a 36-year-old man outside a city-owned facility in Prince Albert, according to a Tuesday news release.
Following the arrest, investigators executed search warrants at two locations including a residence and a property. The searches led to the discovery of drugs and of a grow operation with around 100 cannabis plants.
Police also found over three kilograms of cocaine, nine kilograms of marijuana, five grams of MDMA, 75 grams of psilocybin, $1,500 in cash, five firearms, ammunition and other drug paraphernalia, the release said.
A 47-year-old found at the residence was also arrested, and both men are facing multiple charges related to drug trafficking, firearms and possession of proceeds of crime.
Both made their first appearances in court and have been released on bail with conditions.
The Prince Albert Police Service worked with Red Deer Crime Reduction Team, Edmonton Police Service Surveillance Team, as well as analytical assistance from the Saskatoon Police Service and the RCMP in the crackdown.
At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Prince Albert Police Chief Patrick Nogier said that drug and gun investigations in 2024 helped remove 130 firearms off the streets, many of which police believe are smuggled across the U.S.-Canada border.
"These are crime guns. And a lot of these crime guns are coming from south of the border," he said. Nogier said that the drugs they seized in 2024 were not made here but were brought into the community.
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"We need to be aware of the fact that we have drug problems that are going interprovincially. So east, west, and north and south," he said.
Nogier says there is a connection between the drug trade, criminal activity, homelessness and poverty.
"Although this seems that we're having an impact on the drug trade and organized crime, this will have a compounding effect, a positive effect," he said.
"Taking these guns, taking these drugs off our streets will help in solving the issues that are associated to homelessness and poverty," Nogier said.