Three people have been charged following an investigation into drone use to smuggle contraband into a prison.
In November 2023, staff from the Correctional Service of Canada at the Drumheller Institution reported to Drumheller RCMP that they located a package containing methamphetamines, cellphones, nicotine patches and fentanyl.
Drumheller RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) officers located a drone near the Drumheller Institution that was believed to be used to smuggle contraband in.
On April 17, 2024, officers from the Drumheller GIS, Cold Lake GIS and Cold Lake Detachment executed a search warrant on a residence on Eight St. in Cold Lake. The search warrant resulted in police locating supporting evidence of drug trafficking into an institution, including drone parts and drones.
They also located a loaded handgun. On the same date, Drumheller GIS executed a search warrant on a vehicle believed to be related that was seized by the Edmonton Police Robbery Unit.
Additional evidence supporting drug trafficking into an institution was located, including cellphones and evidence of drone use.
As a result of this investigation Chance Dunne, a 39-year-old resident of Cold lake and 34-year-old Daniel McDonald, a resident of Edmonton were jointly charged with, conspiracy to commit the indictable offence of trafficking a controlled drug and trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Dunne and 26-year-old Charessa Slade, a Bonnyville resident were jointly charged with, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm without a holding license and possession of a firearm knowing that the serial number on it had been altered, defaced or removed.
Dunne has also been charged with, possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine and possession of a firearm while being prohibited from doing so.
Slade was arrested by Cold Lake GIS on Jan. 21 and released on an undertaking. She is set to appear in the Drumheller Alberta Court of Justice on March 21.
Dunne is currently in custody on unrelated matters and is to appear in Drumheller Alberta Court of Justice March 28.
McDonald was arrested by Wetaskiwin RCMP on Jan. 30 and awaits a bail hearing.
Read more: Cold Lake RCMP investigate stolen vehicle
