February 6, 2012

ALERT and RCMP wrap up organized crime investigation in Brooks

Twelve people arrested, 39 drug trafficking charges laid

Brooks… ALERT‘s Medicine Hat Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU),  an integrated team of Medicine Hat Police Service and RCMP members, in partnership with the Brooks Detachment of the RCMP, recently concluded a large-scale drug trafficking investigation in the town of Brooks, Alberta.

During the four-month operation, three separate drug trafficking groups were identified for investigation. Search warrants were executed on five residences in the town.  As a result of these investigations, 12 people, all residents of Brooks, were arrested and charged with several Controlled Drugs and Substance Act and Criminal Code offences.

Investigators seized approximately 9.3 kilograms of processed marihuana, 383 grams of cocaine, half a kilogram of psilocybin (mushrooms), and $35,000 cash. The total value of all drugs seized is estimated at $138,000.

“Given the scope of this investigation and the size of the community, we believe these arrests will have a significant impact on the drug supply to the area,” commented Staff Sergeant David Brandrith of the Medicine Hat CFSEU. “Results like these show the value in having police agencies work together to tackle organized crime in the province.”

Arrested and charged are:

• Shawn Finlay, age 26, on three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of proceeds of crime;
• Jason McIvor, age 36, on four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of possession of proceeds of crime, and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon;
• Mark Dallaire, age 22, on three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking;
• Shawn Crawford, age 37, on one count of possession and one count of possession of proceeds of crime;
• Tina Crawford, age 36, on one count of possession and one count of possession of proceeds of crime;
• Lacey McIvor, 23, on one count of possession for the purpose trafficking and one count of possession of proceeds of crime;
• Robin Pennell, age 32, on one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and two counts of breach of recognizance;
• Linda Hansen, age 61, on two counts of possession, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of possession of proceeds of crime, and one count of production;
• Karen Fahey, age 50, on two counts of possession, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of possession of proceeds of crime, and one count of production;
• Timothy Thiessen, age 32, on two counts of possession, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of possession of proceeds of crime, and one count of production.
• Dany Touch, age 27, on one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking; and
• Ri Jin, age 26, on one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

"Partnerships in policing are a vital part of our service delivery,” said Staff Sergeant McNulty of the Brooks RCMP. “Our detachment is committed to providing the best possible service to the community, and by working with other agencies like ALERT, we can make our community that much safer."

CFSEU-Medicine Hat is an ALERT team established and funded by the Government of Alberta to bring together the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources and tools to combat organized crime.  Over 400 municipal police, RCMP, and sheriffs work for ALERT.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
S/Sgt David Brandrith
CFSEU-Medicine Hat
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-529-8448

Candace Cook
Communications
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 780-509-3015

Rita Sittler
Communications Coordinator
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416