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Didsbury residents charged following county drug raid, suspected trafficking

Suspects alleged to be supplying methamphetamine and fentanyl towards Medicine Hat and Lethbridge
MVT Mountain View County ALERT drug bust
Firearms, drugs and cash were seized from a Mountain View County residence. Photo courtesy of Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams

DIDSBURY - Four Didsbury residents are facing various charges after police executed a raid on a Mountain View County residence, seizing drugs and cash valued at more than $160,000, police said Tuesday, March 9.

Two loaded handguns, a rifle and a shotgun were also seized. One of the handguns was found loaded inside one of the suspects' vehicle.

Drugs seized were 281 grams of methamphetamine, 330 grams of fentanyl, 261 grams of cocaine, 758 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and $30,780 in cash.

Didsbury RCMP, Red Deer RCMP, Medicine Hat Police, and Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) Red Deer, ALERT Medicine Hat were all involved in the operation.

“Our information suggested these suspects were trafficking drugs in the region, and also supplying methamphetamine and fentanyl towards Medicine Hat and Lethbridge,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser, ALERT Medicine Hat.

Six people were arrested and face a total of 27 criminal offences.

Edward Nicholson, a 53-year-old from Didsbury, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and 11 firearms-related offences.

Denise Dorge, a 73-year-old from Didsbury, is charged with two firearms-related offences.

Colin Orum, a 47-year-old from Didsbury, is charged with possession of drugs and careless storage of a firearm.

Letisha Whitesel, a 19-year-old from Didsbury, is charged with property obtained by crime.

Ryan Riley, a 35-year-old from Medicine Hat, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Lori Ehrler, 32-year-old from Medicine Hat, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

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