Police seized a substantial amount of fentanyl and other illicit drugs during a large bust on the Piikani Nation last weekend. Five suspects have been arrested, including a man from Medicine Hat.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
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Police seized a substantial amount of fentanyl, weapons and other narcotics following a traffic stop conducted by Piikani Nation RCMP last Friday, leading to the arrest of five individuals, including a Medicine Hat man.
RCMP say four occupants were in vehicles at the time of a traffic stop as they left a residence in Brocket that was subject to an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of drugs and weapons, including a firearm, bear spray and a stun baton.
The following day, police executed a search warrant at a residence located along 16th Avenue in Brocket. That search – executed with the assistance of the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services, as well as members from neighbouring Pincher Creek and Crownest Pass detachments – resulted in seizure of the following:
– 385 grams of fentanyl,
– 64 grams of methamphetamine,
– 21 grams of cocaine,
– 32 oxycodone tables,
– Nine firearms, including a .22 calibre bolt action rifle, a bolt action 12-gauge shotgun and seven pellet pistols resembling handguns,
– Two stun guns, two extendable batons, one can of bear spray,
– Ammunition,
– Multiple scales and other items used for trafficking controlled substances,
– More than $2,600 cash.
Piikani Nations RCMP have charged five individuals with several related charges including Andrew Hall, 42, of Medicine Hat.
Hall has been charged with four courts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of items used in the trafficking of a controlled substance, careless use of a firearm as well as seven weapons offences.
Additionally, Hall has been charged with possession of proceeds of crime and possession of a firearm contract to order, as well as failure to comply with a probation order.
Kiel Rodgers, 37, from Lethbridge and three residents of Brocket, Lance Red Young Man, 26, Reaven Red young Man, 23, and Tatiana North Peigan, 32, have all been charged with multiple similar offences.
During the execution of the search warrant police located Patrick Blackwater, 25, of Brocket inside the residence who was charged with two counts of failing to comply with a release order.
Aside from Tanhina North Peigan, who was released for court in Pincher Creek on Aug. 29, all suspects were remanded into custody and await future court dates.
RCMP suspect there may be Fentanyl tablets pressed into colourful teddy-bear shapes circulating the community and would like to draw attention as these drugs are made to resemble children’s candy and present a unique risk to the public with potentially fatal consequences.
RCMP are asking anyone with more information to contact the Piikani Nations detachment at 403-965-2000, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at P3Tips.com.
