A 51-year-old man is facing a number of charges after police seized drugs and a loaded shotgun from a rural home southwest of Medicine Hat on the weekend.
ALERT’s organized crime and gang team in Medicine Hat arrested Aaron Hotchen at a residence near Seven Persons on October 22.
During a search of the residence, police found and confiscated 49 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine, heroin, an unknown white powder and a loaded sawed-off shotgun.
Investigators say Hotchen has a lifetime weapons prohibition and that he was charged with similar offences three months ago, when 141 grams of meth was seized after a vehicle search near Bassano.
“Methamphetamine is a devastating, insidious drug. It affects everyone from users, their families, the community, and the authorities who deal with the users. The recent charges are encouraging and demonstrates that law enforcement is making significant inroads in the fight against this illicit drug,” said Insp. Brent Secondiak, Medicine Hat Police Service.
Police claim Hotchen was involved in methamphetamine trafficking in the southeast corner of the province and ALERT started looking into his activities in September.
Hotchen is charged with:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 2);
- Possession of proceeds of crime;
- Possession of a controlled substance;
- Possession of an unauthorized firearm;
- Possession of a loaded, restricted firearm;
- Unsafe storage of a firearm;
- Breach of firearms prohibition;
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
- Breach of recognizance (x 5);
He is in custody and is scheduled to appear in Medicine Hat court on Tuesday.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.
