Photo Courtesy of ALERT

By Chris Brown

Drugs, cash, firearms seized

Two Hatters face drug trafficking charges after bust in central Alberta

Mar 9, 2021 | 10:28 AM

A drug bust between Calgary and Red Deer has disrupted a trafficking operation believed to be supplying methamphetamine and fentanyl to Medicine Hat.

Two Medicine Hat residents are among the six people arrested.

“Our information suggested these suspects were trafficking drugs in the region, and also supplying methamphetamine and fentanyl towards Medicine Hat and Lethbridge,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser, ALERT Medicine Hat in a release.

More than $160,000 in drugs and cash were seized from a rural residence in Mountain View County Four firearms, including two loaded handguns, were also seized.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team finished the investigation on Feb. 24.

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Ryan Riley, 35, and Lori Ehrler, 32, both of Medicine Hat are charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Didsbury RCMP, Red Deer RCMP, Medicine Hat Police, and ALERT Red Deer provided assistance for the investigation.

Police seized:

• 281 grams of methamphetamine
• 330 grams of fentanyl
• 261 grams of cocaine
• 758 grams of psilocybin (magic) mushrooms
• $30,780 cash

Four people from Didsbury were arrested and charged:

• Edward Nicholson, 53, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and 11 firearms-related offences;
• Denise Dorge, 73, is charged with two firearms-related offences
• Colin Orum, 47, is charged with possession of drugs and careless storage of a firearm
• Letisha Whitesel, is charged with property obtained by crime

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.