A month-long investigation of street-level drug dealing in town netted Okotoks RCMP roughly $6,000 worth of drugs and $1,200 in cash.
A 23-year-old male is facing charges after police seized fentanyl, crack, cocaine, MDMA and prescription drugs during a search of an Okotoks home on Jan. 15.
The arrest came after a month investigation involving Okotoks RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), with support from general investigative section and general detachment members.
Officers watched as drugs were bought and sold by the main target in their investigation.
“Through a month-long investigation, transactions were observed through our investigative team,” said Staff Sgt. Jim Ross.
The work was capped off as RCMP executed a search warrant at a home in town on Jan. 15.
Ross said it’s obvious there is a market for illegal drugs in town, but RCMP are targeting dealers in the community.
“With continued investigation ongoing, we’re hopeful we’ll get more people off the street,” he said.
The investigation is still ongoing and Ross said the accused cannot be named at this time. The accused is facing numerous charges under the controlled drugs and substances act.
The unit was re-formed in Okotoks last year and Town council approved funding in its 2016 budget to add three new officers to the Okotoks RCMP detachment’s ranks.
Okotoks Coun. Carrie Fischer said the recent bust shows the value of the Town’s investments in policing.
Fischer, a member of the Town’s public safety and security committee, said the RCMP needs to have resources to proactively work to get criminals off Okotoks streets.
“I’m excited they’re going to have the resources that they need to expand more of these investigations and I hope to hear more efforts in the future,” she said.
RCMP ask anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the community to contact the Okotoks detachment at 403-995-6400 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
