RCMP Briefs: Hatter among pair charged following Brooks drug bust

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 8, 2022.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

A Medicine Hat man is one of two people charged after a drug bust in Brooks late last week, authorities announced on Wednesday.

The ALERT Medicine Hat organized crime unit stated this week that an investigation begun in September led to a vehicle search on Dec. 1 in the city west of Medicine Hat.

Seized were 249 grams of methamphetamine, 29 grams of cocaine, 85 grams of fentanyl and $4,500 in cash. The estimated street value of the drugs is $35,000.

“Drug trafficking transcends municipal borders and we will continue to work alongside our partner agencies to keep communities safe,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Thorburn of ALERT Medicine Hat. The release states that work with the Brooks RCMP detachment and Calgary Police Service led to the arrests.

Ashley Gackle, 45, of Medicine Hat, and Amiel Mehaisen, 30, of Calgary, are each charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and possession of stolen property.

Gackle appeared in court Tuesday, while the date of Mehaisen’s next court appearance is unknown.

RCMP warns of hay scam

Redcliff RCMP are warning ranchers about the potential for online scams when it comes to buying feed.

Local law enforcement officials say they have received numerous reports since October about Facebook posts purporting to have hay and straw for sale in the Cypress County area. The seller, known as “Maxwel Jakes,” requires an e-transfer for the sale, but no deliveries are made, police say.

In general, buyers should be skeptical of such online sales.

Anyone with any relevant information or may have fallen victim should contact the Redcliff RCMP detachment at 403-548-2288.