Maskwacis RCMP and Rural Organized Crime Team seize significant quantity of drugs

November 4, 2026 - Edmonton, Alberta
From: Alberta RCMP

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Edmonton – The Alberta RCMP Rural Organized Crime Team and Maskwacis RCMP conclude three separate months long drug trafficking investigation that culminated into the seizure of the drugs valued at approximately $103,000.

On May 28, 2026, the Government of Alberta announced it was providing 8 million dollars in additional funds to law enforcement in Alberta to combat organized crime. The Alberta RCMP received 2 million in additional funding which has supported the creation of the Alberta Rural Organized Crime Team (ROCT) which is having an impact in Alberta communities every day.

The Alberta RCMP is determined to combat organized crime and violence in rural Alberta and First Nations communities.  The Alberta ROCT has been working closely with the Maskwacis RCMP achieve this goal in and around Maskwacis, Alta. 

In February of 2026, the Maskwacis RCMP started an investigation into the sale of drugs to community members. The ROCT assisted with the investigation that culminated in the execution of a search warrant for a residence in Ermineskin First Nation on Sept. 22, 2026.

As a result of the investigation, Police located and seized 70.5 grams of cocaine.

Shannah Crane (42) and Clinton Potts (44), both residents of Maskwacis, are each charged with:

• Three counts of Trafficking Cocaine; and
• One count of Possession of Cocaine. 

Both accused have been arrested and released to appear in the Edmonton Court of Justice on Jan. 13, 2027.

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In March 2026, the Maskwacis RCMP with the assistance of the ROCT, entered into a drug trafficking and firearms investigation after receiving information that a person was selling guns and drugs to Maskwacis community members.  As a result of this investigation, on Oct. 20, 2026, the following items were seized:

• A Sawed off 12-gauge shotgun;
• Brass knuckles;
• Various types of ammunition;
• 44.7 grams of Cocaine; and
• 31.5 grams of Methamphetamine.

Lance Padgham (43), a resident of Ponoka, Alta., is charged with:

• Four counts of Trafficking Cocaine;
• Two counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine;
• Two counts of Weapons Trafficking; and
• One count Unauthorized possession of a firearm.

The accused has been arrested and released from custody and is scheduled to be in the Ponoka Court of Justice on November 20, 2026.

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In June 2026, the Rural Organized Crime Team and the Maskwacis RCMP entered a drug trafficking investigation that was directly impacting the Maskwacis First Nations communities. The investigation led investigators to Edmonton where over four-months, six individuals were identified as part of a drug trafficking network that stemmed across multiple communities in the Edmonton area. 

On Sept. 11, 2026, with the assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, Edmonton Police Services Tactical Team, Edmonton Police Services Southwest Division, Alberta Sheriff Investigative Support Unit, Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Team, and Parkland Drug Unit, a search warrant was conducted, and arrests were made at various locations.

As a result of the investigation, Police located and seized:

• 775.19 grams of Cocaine; 
• 136 tabs of Oxycodone;
• 191 grams of Psilocybin Mushrooms;
• 40 tabs of Xanax;
• 4 Tablets of LSD;
• 1.25 grams of Methamphetamine; and
• $362,611.75 of Canadian Currency. 

Navjit Grewal (31), a resident of Edmonton, is charged with: 

• Four counts of Trafficking Cocaine;
• One count of Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Cocaine; 
• One count of Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Psilocybin Mushrooms; and
• Five counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000. 

Danette Crouter (23), a resident of Edmonton, is charged with:

• Three counts of Trafficking Cocaine;
• One count of Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Cocaine;
• One count of Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Psilocybin Mushrooms; and 
• Four counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000.

Taryn Gladue (31), a resident of Edmonton, Terren Arcand-Ward (25), a resident of Enoch, Alta., Shawna Choi (21), a resident of Edmonton, and Norvisi Amedoadzi (26), a resident of Edmonton, are each charged with:

• Trafficking Cocaine; and  
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000. 

All six of the accused have been arrested and released to appear in court on Jan. 13, 2027, in Edmonton Provincial Court.

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