St. Albert RCMP seized an undisclosed amount of drugs and arrested three individuals Wednesday while executing a drug trafficking search warrant at a Lacombe Park home.
“We were looking for drugs and evidence of trafficking,” said Cpl. Laurel Kading. “In that, we did seize three types of drugs, cash and drug paraphernalia that would support that allegation of trafficking.”
Roughly 10 RCMP officers searched 81 Lester Cres., where they seized marijuana, hashish and magic mushrooms. Kading could not comment on the quantity or street value of the drugs, as the investigation is ongoing.
She said the two men and one woman arrested at the scene were later released without charges, although criminal charges are pending.
There was no previous drug file on the residence, although a nearby home is known to police, Kading said.
“I would say drugs are a problem throughout the world right now and I don’t think there’s any particular place that’s drug-free,” she said.
Several neighbours said the home is known as a drug haven, with numerous people coming and going at all hours.
“There’s always traffic in front of the house,” said a neighbour who asked to remain nameless. “You see [the resident] come outside to the vehicle and give them something and get something back. Anyone who comes is usually in there for short visits.”
He said he often sees a minor involved in the activities at the home, where the individual has lived for roughly five years.
“It’s sickening,” he said. “There have been a couple places in the neighbourhood that have had issues that way. This is probably definitely the most prominent one.”
He said he saw “lots of teenagers” approaching the home throughout the day Wednesday, although they quickly walked away after seeing uniformed RCMP officers on scene.
“I’m glad young kids in the neighbourhood can go outside and play in fresh air instead of a cloud of weed and not fear loud, explicit lyrics of rap music,” he said.
Another neighbour, who has lived on the block for roughly 10 years, said a handful of houses on the crescent are involved with drugs. She said this is concerning for her and her two young children.
“I don’t like it at all,” she said. “My husband is saying to my kids that they can go for walks, but my daughter said just last night, ‘I’m not going for a walk in my neighbourhood because it’s scary.’”
She said drug deals take place right in front of her home, adding there has also been an increase in break-and-enters.
“You think it’s safe, but you don’t know what these kids could do,” she said.
Another nearby resident was surprised by the activity Wednesday and said it is usually a quiet neighbourhood.
“I guess you never know,” he said.
Roughly six months ago, the St. Albert RCMP drug unit launched a confidential drug tip line allowing residents to remain anonymous.
Individuals suspecting drugs in their neighbourhood are encouraged to call 780-460-3484.
“We’d rather come and check it out than not receive the call,” Kading said. “The community does need to know that every time they call us though, even if they don’t see an immediate search warrant or an immediate set of arrests, the information that they are giving us is building a case towards stopping any drug activity from happening.”
