Investigation into drug trafficking at Drumheller Penitentiary leads to criminal charges aginst 3 people
Drumheller RCMP recovered drugs, cell phones and items consistent with drug trafficking as a result of an investigation into illicit drone activity at Drumheller Penitentiary
A Calgary man and residents of Drumheller and Morrin, Alberta, face criminal charges after an investigation by Drumheller RCMP into drug trafficking inside Drumheller Penitentiary.
On March 26, the penitentiary reported illicit drone activity near their facility, and the presence of an unknown individual in the area.
When the person was approached, they fled the area, but left behind a backpack.
A search of the backpack revealed that it contained 141 grams of methamphetamine, 32 grams of hash oil, a scale, two cell phones and other items consistent with drug trafficking.
On Wednesday, following an investigation led by the Drumheller RCMP, two separate search warrants were executed, one in Rosedale and the other in Calgary.
The searches resulted in the seizure of three drones, four cell phones, a Taser, brass knuckles, a quantity of Canadian money, quantities of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl and other items consistent with drug trafficking.
John McConnell, 41, of Calgary was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, proceeds of crime and driving while disqualified.
McConnell is scheduled to appear in court in Drumheller on June 9.
Tawny Markiewicz, 31, of Morrin and Jeffery Morse of Drumheller were both arrested during the operation as a result of what police say was an "observed drug transaction."
Both were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Morse was also charged with failing to comply with a release order.
Markiewicz is scheduled to appear in a Drumheller court on June 16.
Morse was remanded into custody. He was scheduled to appear in court Friday.
Drumheller RCMP say that more charges are pending.
"This is an in-depth and complex investigation involving the RCMP and our valued partners of Correctional Services Canada and Calgary Police Service," said Drumheller Sgt. Robert Harms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS Iran faces tough choices in deciding how to respond to Israeli strikes
How Iran chooses to respond could determine whether the region spirals further toward all-out war or holds steady at an already destabilizing level of violence.
Daylight saving time ends next week
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
How to make sure your used clothes go to the right place – and not to organized crime
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity – and it often is. But it’s become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.
B.C. election results: Recounts set to begin Sunday
Recounts will begin Sunday afternoon in two ridings where candidates were separated by fewer than 100 votes following the initial count in the B.C. election.
Gold prices have surged in 2024. Here’s how to get in on the gold rush
Not all that glitters is gold, but the value of the precious metal has been surging this year.
Vehicle rams into crowd outside Mexico cathedral, injures 16
A vehicle rammed into a crowd outside a cathedral in Mexico and injured at least 16 people Saturday night, local authorities said.
Trump refers to CNN's Anderson Cooper by a woman's first name
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Satellite images show damage from Israeli attack at 2 secretive Iranian military bases
An Israeli attack on Iran damaged facilities at a secretive military base southeast of the Iranian capital that experts in the past have linked to Tehran's onetime nuclear weapons program.
Shohei Ohtani partially dislocates left shoulder during World Series Game 2, status TBD
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani partially dislocated his left shoulder during the seventh inning of Saturday's Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees when he tried to steal second base.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Edmonton
-
BREAKINGBREAKING ‘Armed and dangerous’ man taken into custody by Lac La Biche RCMP
Lac La Biche RCMP took a man they believed to be armed and dangerous into custody Sunday morning.
-
Homicide investigation leads to charges against four Albertans
Following an investigation, four Albertans have been charged in relation to the murder of a Manning, Alberta resident.
-
Worker killed at road construction site Tuesday
A worker was killed on the job in Stony Plain on Tuesday, one day after a worker was killed in northwest Edmonton.
Lethbridge
-
City of Lethbridge reaches tentative agreement with 900 CUPE employees on new deal
A tentative agreement has been reached between the City of Lethbridge and more than 900 employees belonging to CUPE Local 70.
-
Hurricanes lose third road game in a row, dropping 4-1 decision to Broncos in Swift Current
The Hurricanes will be happy to be back home in Lethbridge Saturday night after losing their third in a row on the road Friday night, a 4-1 decision to the Broncos in Swift Current.
-
City of Lethbridge and local post-secondaries discuss how to keep graduates in the city
About 15,000 students are enrolled at Lethbridge’s post-secondary schools, and now the city is working with those schools to try to find ways to get them s to stick around a while.
Vancouver
-
B.C. election results: Recounts set to begin Sunday
Recounts will begin Sunday afternoon in two ridings where candidates were separated by fewer than 100 votes following the initial count in the B.C. election.
-
Evacuation order issued for 3 properties in North Vancouver
Three properties in the Deep Cove area of North Vancouver were ordered to evacuate Saturday night.
-
First NHL goal 'meant to be' for homegrown Vancouver Canucks winger Arshdeep Bains
Arshdeep Bains got a solid vote of confidence before suiting up for his hometown Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. election results: Recounts set to begin Sunday
Recounts will begin Sunday afternoon in two ridings where candidates were separated by fewer than 100 votes following the initial count in the B.C. election.
-
Tempers flare at B.C. ferry terminal as 'assured loading' customers bypass standby crowd
There were tense moments at a ferry terminal outside Victoria, B.C., on Friday after the lion’s share of standby spots on an early sailing were claimed by “assured loading” passengers – leaving regular customers who had been waiting for hours out of luck.
-
Island's first trauma-informed, Indigenous-specific child-care centre opens in Colwood
Hulitan Early Years Centre is a brand new, 48-seat childhood learning centre in Colwood. It was built to support Indigenous children throughout the capital region.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon fire department investigating major house fire
Saskatoon fire crews responded to a major house fire on the 400 block of 24th Street West on Friday evening.
-
Police warn of lottery phone scam in Saskatoon
The Saskatoon Police Service is cautioning residents about a phone scam involving fraudulent lottery claims.
-
Roughriders fall to Stampeders 27-12 in final regular season game
The Calgary Stampeders picked up their first road victory of the season Saturday, defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders 27-12 in the final regular-season game of the year.
Regina
-
No injuries reported in North Central house fire
No injuries have been reported in connection to a house fire in Regina’s North Central neighbourhood Saturday evening.
-
Roughriders fall to Stampeders 27-12 in final regular season game
The Calgary Stampeders picked up their first road victory of the season Saturday, defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders 27-12 in the final regular-season game of the year.
-
What temperature did Saskatchewan peak at this summer?
Saskatchewan was one of the regions that experienced one of the hottest heat waves in Canada this summer, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
Toronto
-
Ontario government moves to extend 5.7 cent gas tax cut to June 2025
Ontario is moving to extend a 5.7-cent cut to the provincial gas tax until next summer.
-
More Torontonians can get the new COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. Here's what you need to know
More Torontonians will be able to get their doses of a new COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. Here's what to know.
-
Anand asks Ontario counterpart for a meeting to discuss growing problem of fraudulent car registrations
Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand is requesting a meeting with her provincial counterpart to tackle the rising issue of re-Vinning and fraudulent vehicle registrations.
Montreal
-
Seven people hit by a vehicle during a brawl in Rosemont
Seven people were hit by a vehicle during a brawl between a group of individuals that got out of hand in Montreal.
-
Port of Montreal paralysed by 24-hour dockworkers' strike
The dockworkers at the Port of Montreal are on strike on Sunday, as they had announced, due to the impasse in negotiations for the renewal of their collective agreement.
-
Montreal police investigating alleged voyeurism on metro as video surfaces online
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating an alleged case of voyeurism on the metro involving an 18-year-old woman, with video footage of the incident now circulating on social media
Atlantic
-
Nova Scotia Calls General Election for Nov. 26
With a provincial election announcement expected Sunday, Nova Scotia’s political party leaders have announced events.
-
Canadian cities struggling to get past 'Whac-A-Mole' solution to homeless encampments
Canadian cities are struggling with the seemingly intractable problem of homelessness and trying various approaches to stop people from sleeping rough, often with mixed results.
-
'War Among the Clouds': Book spotlights unsung New Brunswick heroes of First World War
Author and historian Brent Wilson released a new book on New Brunswick airmen from the First World War.
Winnipeg
-
Convicted sex offender charged following U of M dorm attack
Winnipeg police have arrested and charged a man believed to be connected with an assault at a University of Manitoba dorm room.
-
'Did he live? Did he die?': A decades-old mystery stretching from Manitoba to Ireland
The mystery of a 100-year-old letter sent from Manitoba to Ireland is slowly unraveling thanks to the work of one amateur sleuth.
-
Winnipeg Comiccon 2024 attracts thousands
Pop culture connoisseurs made their way by the masses to the fourth annual Winnipeg Comiccon this weekend.
Ottawa
-
Renfrew Country school buses return to service Monday
Transportation for students in Renfrew County will be back in service for the first time this year starting on Monday.
-
Two facing charges for brandishing gun on Hwy. 401 during road rage incident
Two people are facing charges after a "high-risk" traffic stop on Highway 401 near Prescott, according to provincial police.
-
15-year-old found dead in eastern Ontario, teen facing second-degree murder charge: OPP
Ontario Provincial Police say a 16-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder after a 15-year-old was found dead at a home in Perth, Ont. Friday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
9-year-old girl killed in ATV crash on eastern Ontario trail
One person is dead after a crash involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in eastern Ontario. Frontenac County OPP responded to a crash involving an ATV on a trail in Ardoch, Ont., 30 km north of Sharbot Lake.
-
Ontario man tells police he harmed two family members, three found dead
Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.
-
Trump refers to CNN's Anderson Cooper by a woman's first name
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Barrie
-
Ontario man tells police he harmed two family members, three found dead
Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.
-
Around $10K stolen from jewelry store in alleged break and enter
Bracebridge OPP are searching for two suspects who allegedly broke into a Gravenhurst jewelry store early Saturday morning.
-
Driver charged after striking OPP cruiser
A man was charged after allegedly crashing into a parked OPP cruiser in Tay Township early Sunday morning.
Kitchener
-
Police investigating after Guelph home invasion
Police are investigating after a Guelph home was broken into early Saturday morning.
-
Fire at Waterloo waste management site
Fire crews responded to a fire at a Waterloo waste management site Friday evening.
-
Norwich retirement home announces closure
Trillium Care in Norwich, Ont. has announced they will be closing their facilities, citing “an emergency lack of financial resources necessary to sustain daily operations.”
London
-
Norwich retirement home announces closure
Trillium Care in Norwich, Ont. has announced they will be closing their facilities, citing “an emergency lack of financial resources necessary to sustain daily operations.”
-
As two roundabouts open in St. Thomas, one main intersection set to close for construction
Two new interchanges have opened in St. Thomas, Ont. but one main artery is set to close Monday for construction.
-
'The Brown Bowl': Brown twins from London, Ont. to face each other on field for first time
Identical twins Chase and Sydney Brown talk on the phone every night. That was until this week, when, for the first time ever, the brothers will play against each other on a football field.
Windsor
-
Robbery by the railroad ends with arrest for Chatham man
Police have charged a man with robbery after an incident Saturday afternoon in Chatham.
-
Donations diverted from landfill at 2nd annual Green Expo
Donated and reusable household items piled up in trucks outside the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre Saturday afternoon in an effort to divert goods from the landfill.
-
Property damage and uttering threats: CKPS arrests Chatham man
Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) has charged a man after they were contacted over a disturbance at a home on Sheldon Avenue in Chatham.
