Maskwacis RCMP and St. Albert RCMP have arrested two men on drug charges after a month-long investigation.
Officers executed search warrants at a St. Albert residence and a residence on the Samson Cree Nation on Wednesday, May 11, which led to the seizure of 121 grams of cocaine and $1,200 cash, RCMP said in a statement released this morning.
RCMP arrested Rusty Potts, 37, of St. Albert, and Cory Potts, 47, of Samson Cree Nation.
Both men have been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, Mounties said in the statement. Rusty Potts has also been charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
The investigation, called "Project Medicinae," was launched in April after members of Maskwacis RCMP's general investigation section became aware that illegal drugs were being moved into the four communities of Maskwacis, RCMP said in the statement. The general investigation section then asked for help from St. Albert RCMP's drug unit, according to the release.
“This is a significant seizure of illegal drugs that won’t be distributed into our communities, and a thank you to the St. Albert RCMP for your help,” Const. Jake Colbeck of the Maskwacis RCMP said in the release. "This is a great example of two detachments working together with the goal of disrupting and dismantling the illegal drug trafficking that is going on.”
Both men were released from custody. Rusty Potts is set to appear in St. Albert Provincial Court on Monday, June 6, while Cory Potts is set to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court on Tuesday, June 14.