OLDS – Following a two-month investigation six teams of Mounties partnered to nab a Bowden man who was allegedly selling drugs from a business in Olds.
“There are concerns that drug activity has gone up in the community with two recent drugs seizures,” said Staff Sgt. Warren Wright, detachment commander of the Olds RCMP. “Drug activity has not gone up but rather RCMP have successfully concluded two drug investigations resulting in local residents being charged with offences as well as large seizures of drugs and weapons.
“The RCMP are working very hard to ensure that community safety.”
On Feb. 7, RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said in a media release that Olds RCMP began its probe into the Bowden man in December of last year.
On Feb. 2 Savinkoff said Olds RCMP, with support from the RCMP Emergency Response Team, RCMP Police Dog Section, Southern Alberta District General Investigative Section, Alberta RCMP Interview Team and the Didsbury RCMP detachment, executed search warrants at a business in Olds as well as a residence in Bowden.
As the result of both searches RCMP seized:
• 77 grams on suspected cocaine methamphetamine;
• 69 grams of suspected fentanyl;
• 2.5 grams of suspected heroin;
• 1,354.75 grams of cannabis;
• 10 grams of cannabis resin;
• small amounts of metronidazole, Adderall, codeine, Lyrica, cyclobenzaprine, lorazepam, hydromorphone and LSD;
• 18 grams of psilocybin;
• one shotgun;
• replica firearm;
• eight pellet guns;
• a taser device; and
• 60 assorted edged weapons, including 13 pocket knives, three axes, 29 small knives and 13 swords.
RCMP have charged Lyle Andrus, 60, a resident of Bowden, with:
• three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking;
• four counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon or restricted weapon; and
• two counts of offences under the Cannabis Act.
Andrus was taken before a justice of the peace and released on bail. His next court appearance is set for March 6 at Didsbury provincial court.
Olds RCMP are seeking the public's assistance in reporting information about suspected drug trafficking in the community. Citizens are asked to contact Olds RCMP at 403-556-3323 or their local police.
Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous 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.
