Drone used to smuggled drugs, phones and nicotine patches into Drumheller prison: RCMP

A year-long investigation into drug trafficking inside Drumheller prison led to charges against 3 people. (Aldona B.)

A Cold Lake resident, an Edmonton man and a Bonnyville woman have been charged in relation to a year-long drug trafficking investigation by the Drumheller RCMP.

In November 2023, correctional services staff at the Drumheller Institution told RCMP officers they discovered a package containing methamphetamine, cell phones, nicotine patches and fentanyl.

That set in motion an investigation that led to the discovery of a drone near the prison that investigators believed was used to smuggle the package into the prison.

As the investigation developed, a number of RCMP units joined, including investigators from Cold Lake and the Edmonton Police Service’s Robbery Unit.

On April 17, a search warrant was executed on a residence on Eighth Street in Cold Lake, where police discovered evidence of drug trafficking, including drones and drone parts. They also recovered a loaded handgun.

On the same day, Drumheller officers executed a search warrant on a vehicle that had been seized by Edmonton police where they recovered evidence supporting drug trafficking, including cell phones and evidence of drone use.

As a result, a 39-year-old Cold Lake man, and a 35-year-old Edmonton resident were charged with conspiracy to commit the indictable offence of trafficking a controlled drug, and trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The Cold Lake man and a 26-year-old Bonnyville woman were jointly charged with possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm without holding a license; and possession of a firearm knowing that the serial number on it had been altered, defaced or removed.

The Cold Lake man was also charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as possession of a firearm while being prohibited from doing so.

The Bonnyville woman was arrested by Cold Lake officers on Jan. 21 and released on an undertaking. She is scheduled to appear in court in Drumheller on March 21.

The Cold Lake man is currently in custody on an unrelated matter. He’s scheduled to appear in court in Drumheller on March 28.

The Edmonton man was arrested by Wetaskawin RCMP on Jan. 30 and is awaiting a bail hearing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Drumheller RCMP at 403-823-7590 or your local police.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.