MEDICINE HAT, AB — Authorities have moved in and shut down another drug house in Medicine Hat.
A chain link fence now surrounds the property at 1170 Bridge Street in the Flats.
Crews worked quickly on Thursday afternoon to change the locks and board up the doors and windows.
The Alberta Sheriffs and members with the Medicine Hat Police Service worked closely on the closure.
Fencing crews arriving on site to fence off the property on Bridge Street. @CHATNewsToday pic.twitter.com/XUXuLVyXvW
— Ashley Wiebe (@CHATTVawiebe) September 7, 2017
“A lot of our crime and violent activity is directly related to the activities that were going on at 1170 Bridge Street, which made a pretty compelling case for us,” said Sergeant Stacey Kesler with the Medicine Hat Police Service.
“Neighbours in this community were very active in trying to get this property shut down,” said Inspector Mike Letourneau with the Sheriff’s branch.
Kelser noted neighbours had complained in the past about suspected drug activity. He added that a lot of the crime happening in the area, including a kidnapping in May of 2016 was linked to the home.
Members with the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit began their investigation in October 2016.
“Once we confirm we’ve got drug activity, then a letter goes out from the director to the homeowner saying all the activity at this property has to stop,” Letourneau said.
In this case, a letter was sent to Darryl Hafso and his son, Robert, who lives at the property.
Letourneau said the two were given plenty of chances to stop the behaviours neighbours were complaining about.
“It’s no secret,” he said. “We’re not trying to hide that fact. We’re trying to say to the homeowner and to the occupant, shut it down. We know there’s drug activity, it’s got to stop.”
“Our police enforcement operations, they included everything from directed patrols from the patrol members, as well as from target enforcement with our drug enforcement team as well,” Kesler added.
We can hear the kids playing at Elm Street School, this house on Bridge Street is just a block over. pic.twitter.com/7vJXQwJrdg
— Ashley Wiebe (@CHATTVawiebe) September 7, 2017
This marks the third SCAN closure in Medicine Hat since 2016. The two agencies worked together to shut down a notorious drug house on Aberdeen Street twice in the last year.
The house will remain closed until December 4th and will then be handed back over to Hafso.
Even once it’s back in his possession, SCAN will continue to monitor the property for any illegal activity until August of next year.
