Anna Junker

Published:January 19, 2022

-Edmonton Journal

 

An Edmonton man is facing charges and more than 100 outstanding arrest warrants have been resolved after city police searched three downtown addresses associated with opioid sales and use last week.

Edmonton police initiated two separate months-long investigations into properties associated with opioid use and sales after receiving several community complaints.

One investigation involved two properties near 93 Street and 111 Avenue, that reportedly housed “significant drug activity,” including opioid sales, police said in a news release Wednesday. The second investigation focused on a property near 108 Avenue and 97 Street, that was reportedly the site of opioid use, violence, disorder, and unsafe living conditions.

“Our Downtown beats teams have been working with the Chinatown community to address concerns about the impacts of the opioid crisis on that neighbourhood,” said Downtown beats Sgt. David Chow, in the news release.

“We are grateful to SCAN (Alberta Sheriffs Safer Communities & Neighbourhoods Unit) and the engaged residents of Chinatown for their support in addressing several properties that have been identified by community members as causing disorder, harm and exploitation. As we conclude our investigation, we will continue to work with SCAN to try to prevent similar uses of the properties in the future.”

On Jan. 12 and Jan. 13, officers executed search warrants at the addresses.

At the properties near 93 Street and 111 Avenue, police arrested 55-year-old David Healey and charged him with three counts of trafficking a controlled substance. Officers also seized approximately 29 grams of fentanyl with an approximate street value of $3,500, 30 prescription opioid pills, $2,000 in cash, and an airsoft pistol from the two residences.

Police found more than 35 people at the property near the 108 Avenue and 97 Street address, with more than 100 outstanding warrants for their arrests.

All but three were given new court dates and released at the scene. Police said everyone at the address were also offered support from the EPS HELP Unit to assist with social service needs.

c. EDMONTON JOURNAL