Police shut down 3 alleged drug houses throughout Alberta in past week

Three alleged drug houses were shut down by police in Alberta over the past week, in a move that Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer said has residents “sleeping more soundly at night.”

Two of the alleged houses were located in Calgary, with the third being shuttered in Edmonton following investigations on the part of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit of the Alberta Sheriffs.

“Illicit drugs are a scourge that plague our communities and harm Albertans – from the violence perpetrated by the criminals who sell them to the crimes committed by those under their influence,” said Schweitzer in a release following the third closure.

“Our government is committed to helping people get off drugs while ensuring those who traffic in misery face the consequences.”

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All three houses have been closed, locked, boarded up, and fenced off for a duration of 90 days following complaints from the neighbouring communities about drug activity.

“We are ensuring our communities are safe, secure and protected by providing law enforcement agencies the tools and resources they need to investigate, disrupt and dismantle groups that prey on vulnerable Albertans by selling illicit drugs,” said Schweitzer.

“Too often, law-abiding Albertans become collateral damage when drug activity brings violence, property crime and health hazards to their doorsteps. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit of the Alberta Sheriffs helps people take back their streets by investigating properties used for criminal activity and obtaining court orders to shut them down.”

A search warrant of one of the Calgary houses, located at 2227 47th Street SE, also allegedly uncovered drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine, and oxycodone, as well as 171 stolen tires, stolen license plates, and other allegedly stolen goods.

Over the past 11 years, SCAN has investigated 5,500 properties and issued almost 80 community safety orders, according to the release.