ALERT concludes drug trafficking investigation in Medicine Hat

January 30, 2012

ALERT concludes drug trafficking investigation in Medicine Hat

 

Medicine Hat… ALERT‘s Medicine Hat Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU),  an integrated team of Medicine Hat Police Service and RCMP members, concluded a drug trafficking investigation last week with the arrest of four men with ties to motorcycle gang activity in the area.

In partnership with the Redcliff RCMP detachment, CFSEU-Medicine Hat conducted a traffic stop on the Trans-Canada Highway near Redcliff on January 25.  A search of the vehicle netted 57 grams of cocaine worth an estimated street value of $5,600.

Arrested and charged is:

  • Redcliff resident and known Outlaws motorcycle gang member, Brian Gougeon, age 45;
  • Calgary resident and known Outlaws motorcycle gang member, Norman Playter, age 44; and
  • Medicine Hat resident Rene Luedee, age 49.

All three men have been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.  Their next court appearance is February 7, 2012.

On January 26, Gougeon and a 40-year-old Redcliff woman were also charged by Redcliff RCMP with 14 firearms offences following the execution of two search warrants in Redcliff and Medicine Hat. Several firearms were seized.

That same day, CFSEU–Medicine Hat conducted a related traffic stop of a vehicle travelling east bound on the Trans-Canada Highway towards Medicine Hat.  Calgary resident Sophaly Sorm, age 24, was arrested after officers located 100 grams of Cocaine with an estimated street value of $10,000 in his vehicle.

Sorm was charged with one count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.  His next court appearance will be on February 28, 2012.

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)
403-529-8448

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

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