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Last updateMon, 17 Feb 2025 11am

Drumheller RCMP, multiple partners conclude year long drug trafficking investigation

Seized Drones

Drumheller RCMP, in conjunction with multiple partners, have concluded a more than year long investigation into drug trafficking, resulting in the arrests of three people.
The investigation began in November 2023 when staff from the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) at the Drumheller Institution reported to Drumheller RCMP they located a package containing methamphetamine, cell phones, nicotine patches, and fentanyl.
Drumheller RCMP General Investigations Section (GIS) officers initiated a drug trafficking investigation and located a drone near the Drumheller Institution believed to be used to smuggle the contraband into the institution.
As the investigation progressed, Drumheller GIS obtained assistance from several RCMP units including the Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime, Cold Lake GIS, Cold Lake General Duty, Digital Forensic Services, Forensic Identification Section, Firearm Support Services, the National Firearms Tracing Centre, and also from the Edmonton Police Service Robbery Unit.
On April 17, 2024, RCMP officers from the Drumheller GIS, Cold Lake GIS, and Cold Lake Detachment executed a search warrant on a residence on 8 Street in Cold Lake, Alberta.
As a result of the search warrant, police located supporting evidence of drug trafficking into an institution, including drones and drone parts. Also located was a loaded handgun.
On the same date, Drumheller GIS executed a search warrant on a vehicle, believed to be related, that was seized by the Edmonton Police Robbery Unit. Additional evidence supporting drug trafficking into an institution was located; including cell phones and evidence of drone use.
As a result of this investigation, Chance Dunne, 39, a resident of Cold Lake and Daniel McDonald, 34, a resident of Edmonton, were jointly charged with:
Conspiracy to Commit the indictable offence of Trafficking a Controlled Drug; and
Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine.
In addition, Dunne and Charessa Slade, 26, a resident of Bonnyville, 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.
Additionally, Dunne is charged with:
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine; and
Possession of a Firearm while being prohibited from doing so.
Slade was arrested by Cold Lake GIS on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and released on an undertaking. She is to appear in the Drumheller Alberta Court of Justice on Friday, March 21.
Dunne is currently in custody on unrelated matters and is to appear in Drumheller Alberta Court of Justice on Friday, March 28.
An arrest warrant was issued for Daniel McDonald who was arrested by Wetaskiwin RCMP on Thursday, January 30 and awaits a bail hearing.
If you have any information regarding these matters, please contact Drumheller RCMP at 403.823.7590 or contact your local Police Service. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.


Starland County sets sights on Business Park development in 2024

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Starland County and its various departments had a very productive year in 2024, with its primary focus on development on its new Business Park at the intersection of Highways 9 and 27.
The County’s Agricultural Services department was incredibly busy with applications of herbicide applied to more than 750 acres of land and along over 100 acres of provincial highways and highway right of ways in the county. Staff spent nearly 90 hours along the Red Deer River inspecting approximately 15 acres of land and controlling regulated weeds in the area; the most prevalent weed which was identified was common tansy, which has been identified in Alberta as a common noxious weed.
Agricultural Services also held six educational events, including the Farmers Pesticide Certification Course and the Shelterbelt Workshop; a total of 94 people attended these events over the course of the year.
Starland County council was also kept busy in 2024, holding a total of 22 regular council meetings. Over the year, council passed a total of 11 new bylaws which have been put into place; most notably in February 2024, council passed the Regional Emergency Management Bylaw, which establishes a Regional Emergency Management committee between Starland County and the villages of Munson, Morrin, and Delia.
Along with establishing this committee, the County also focused its attention on its fire departments, completing pump tests and servicing on its eight pumper trucks which are currently in service in the County. Equipment which was old and out of service were also removed from County fire halls and either sold or donated, and replacement of department bunker gear has been an ongoing occurrence; this will continue to be a recurring cost until all departments have been outfitted with new, current gear. Starland County fire departments will also be piloting a new Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS) in 2025; this is a provincewide two-way radio network for first responders, and Starland County has initially ordered six of these radios as part of the pilot. It is hoped the County will implement and transition to this system within the next few years.
There has been interest in development of a business park at the intersection of Highways 9 and 27, known locally as Morrin Corner, and this has been the primary focus of the County’s Economic Development department in 2024. At the end of 2023, the County purchased approximately 145 acres on the southeast corner of the intersection and awarded Stantec to develop the plan, including conceptual designs, area structure plan, and engineering. So far the project has received positive uptake and there is a hopeful timeline of 2026 for dirt work and tenancy.
In summer 2024, Starland County also expanded to offer a new payment method to its residents for a variety of charges from utility and tax bills to camping fees. This has seen strong response from users since becoming available. The County hopes to begin offering pre-authorized payments for utility customers in 2025, with plans to launch and implement a platform which would also allow ratepayers to obtain permits and licenses, and pay tax bills.
Starland County also launched its new, modernized website in fall 2024. Through the new website, the County will be able to provide reliable information to residents and visitors alike. This includes developing pages on the website for community events and groups within Starland County’s boundaries; these pages will provide visitors with information about the various groups and organizations in the community, and also keep people informed about upcoming events in the region.

Three Drumheller RCMP members recognized with King Charles III Coronation Medals

Drumheller RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Rob Harms (left) receives the King Charles III Coronation Medal from the Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Salma Lakhani.

Three members of the Drumheller RCMP detachment were among the 135 Alberta RCMP officers who were recognized for their community dedication and commitment to service with the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal.
A total of 30,000 Canadians were selected for their significant contributions, whether to their community, province, or to Canada.
Drumheller RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Rob Harms, Corporal Isaac Chung, and Constable Dale Selbee received the awards during two separate ceremonies on Tuesday, January 14 in Devon, and on Thursday, January 23 in Cochrane.

Cpl. Chung shakes hands with Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani as he receives his medal.

Cst. Dale Selbee (middle) and K-Division Commanding Officer Deputy Commissioner Rob Hill (right) pose with Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani following presentation of the medals.
“Cst. Selbee and Cpl. Chung’s nominations were based on their outstanding dedication, leadership, and commitment with respect to the implementation and delivery of an ongoing training program at the Drumheller detachment contributing to policing excellence, specifically in the area of general duty tactics and emergency preparation and response,” shared S/Sgt Harms.
S/Sgt Harms’ own nomination for the award was based not only on his leadership, dedication, and commitment at the local detachment level, but also for his leadership and involvement in other operations within the province.


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