VEGREVILLE - A report of a suspicious vehicle in Minburn County resulted in RCMP seizing 700 ml of GHB - and further investigation resulted in police locating where the drugs were allegedly being produced in Vegreville.
On April 17, Vegreville RCMP received the complaint of a suspicious vehicle.
"Upon arriving on scene, [RCMP] noted the vehicle had been reported stolen and arrested the man found inside. A search of the vehicle incidental to arrest resulted in the seizure of 700 ml of GHB. Further investigation revealed an address in Vegreville where the GHB was being produced," reads information from RCMP.
"GHB is often called a date-rape drug, because its sedative effects prevent victims from resisting sexual assault," according to information from the Government of Canada.
On April 19, "after obtaining a search warrant for the residence, Vegreville RCMP, assisted by the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) team, with Vegreville Fire and EMS on standby in case of fire or contamination, attended the residence and executed the warrant," according to police.
The search resulted in seizure of 38 litres of what police suspect to be 1,4-Butanediol (BD), a GHB precursor, and 12 litres of GHB.
“I would like to thank the public for their vigilance and the trust they showed us by calling in suspicious activity,” said S/Sgt. Collin Folk, detachment commander of the Vegreville RCMP. “Thanks to the public, and the great work done by Vegreville RCMP members, local partners and the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s CLEAR team, we were able to dismantle a lab that was producing drugs that could have had a very negative impact on our community and those around us.”
“When it comes to dismantling clan labs, which are highly toxic environments, it’s not just about taking down illegal operations – it’s about protecting entire communities,” said Supt. Sean Boser, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious and Organized Crime – Alberta, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region. “This investigation is an excellent reminder of the power of collaboration between law enforcement, first responders and the public.”
Arrest warrants were issued for two individuals linked to the residence. The warrants are still outstanding.
As a result of the investigation into the suspicious vehicle, Jeremy Donald Blackwell, 42, a resident of Edmonton, was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (x2); possession of GHB; and obstructing a police officer.
Blackwell was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody. He is scheduled to be in court in Vegreville on May 12.
