Members of the Medicine Hat Police Commission heard further details into a drug bust in October which led to two local residents facing several charges after More than $135,000 of drugs were seized along with cash at a home on 12th Street NW. on Oct. 9.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
Throughout the month of October the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to 2,729 calls for service, down from 3,139 calls in September.
Crime rates in October were down in nearly every category compared to September, as well as in numbers reporting property crime year over year.
Police responded to 13 thefts from motor vehicles in October, down from 77 in September, and also recorded a decrease in shoplifting, mischief and other break and enter related crimes.
The Downtown Patrol Unit responded to 12 property-based calls and seven drug and alcohol related calls. Downtown officers responded to 63 calls for unwanted guests and 20 calls for suspicious activity.
The Forensic Identification Unit handled 172 forensic based reports and attended 16 scenes last month.
The Traffic Unit only conducted one Standard Field Sobriety Roadside Test and issued one IRS failure notice in October.
The Victims Assistance Unit helped 58 people and handled 240 community referrals in October, as well as opening 80 new files and Facility Dogs Athena and Glory were busy with 42 in station and in court support cases.
The Family Crimes Unit, which provided members of the police commission a presentation on Wednesday during its regular meeting, opened six new investigations and conducted three child forensic interviews.
Bylaw officers attended 160 road safety calls, 12 animal control calls and responded to 114 calls for encampments.
The 2025-26 police recruit class completed five weeks of training and the last week of October was spent at CFB Suffield, where recruits completed the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course.
Notably, commission members were provided details on a drug investigation in early October that led to the charges laid against two local residents believed to be altering and producing illicit drugs.
Local members of ALERT worked with the RCMP’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response Team to safety execute a warrant and seize an estimated street value of $135,000 on fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, cash and a small amount of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid.
“I love it when our officers are able to dig into a local file with local impact,” Insp. Joe West told commissioners. “This one involved suspect production and what’s unique about this one is we did call in the RCMP Clandestine lab enforcement response team, the clear team, to make sure we entered that environment safely.”
West says the investigation revealed there wasn’t the high levels of drugs manufactured on site as suspect, however officers did find evidence of some manipulation of drugs produced in the residence on 12th Street NW.
“Colouring some fentanyl pills and so fourth,” explained West.
Both 43-year-old Denai Lanz and 36-year-old Aaron Greenwood were arrested at the time of the home’s search on Oct. 9 and now face several charges, including possession for the use in production of a controlled substance and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
