Provincial RCMP establish response team to target illegal fentanyl

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on May 8, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

Alberta RCMP say they have begun the initial steps in establishing a new Community Response Team designed to tackle a variety of issues to address social determinants that contribute to the root cause of trafficking, as the province bolsters its enforcements around the use of illegal opioids.

The team is part of the RCMP’s Data 2 Action Crime Reduction Strategy announced in April to target fentanyl-related crimes by turning data and intelligence into actionable tasks focused on prevention, apprehension, suppression and offender management.

The new Community Response Team will combine a focus with targeted enforcement and with working with frontline members and local support services within communities to develop a comprehensive, data driven, approach to reduce drug related crime.

The RCMP will gather intelligence from several agencies from across Alberta including ALERT, Canada Border Services, Canada Post, as well as urban police departments and support services like Recovery Alberta.

“The Alberta RCMP is committed to doing all that we can to reduce the risk of opioids in our communities, but it isn’t just a police problem,” says Supt. Mike McCauley, Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction Strategy. “Working with our partner agencies, we can develop a fulsome approach to address the underlying issues that lead to crime and the use of illegal fentanyl in our communities.”

During the first two months of 2025, RCMP in the province seized approximately 1.4 kilograms of solid fentanyl and 600-plus tablets in 87 drug busts. During more than 40 per cent of those occurrences officers also seized weapons ranging from knives and brass knuckles, to rifles, shotguns and 3D-printed guns and parts.

“The misery that is caused to the people of Alberta due to illegal drugs and related crimes cannot be understated,” says Staff Sgt. Luke Halvorson, Community Safety. “The Alberta RCMP is committed to using every resource available, whether it’s at the detachment level or involves specialized supports like our Community Response Teams, to target the root causes of crime and to meet the danger that Fentanyl and the illegal drug trade causes to the well-being of our community.”

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