Alberta Sheriffs have shut down what they describe as a problem drug house in south Edmonton that has been a source of drug activity for more than a decade. Read More
”People living this community no longer have to live in fear of anxiety of what’s going on at this property”
“People living this community no longer have to live in fear of anxiety of what’s going on at this property”
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Alberta Sheriffs have shut down what they describe as a problem drug house in south Edmonton that has been a source of drug activity for more than a decade.
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The SCAN (safer communities and neighbourhoods) unit obtained a court order against the property owner at a residence, located 6707 32 Avenue NW.
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The property will be closed for 90 days, beginning on July 10, and all residents of the home, including the property owner, must vacate the premises.
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“It’s a unique investigation,” said SCAN investigator Karleen Schenkey in a phone call with Postmedia on Thursday.
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“The most recent complaint to SCAN came in November, 2024, but we’ve had prior investigations at this property as early as 2009.”
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Schenkey said SCAN applied for and was granted previous community safety orders that were “similar” to the current safety order in place.
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In November, SCAN investigators seized a methamphetamine pipe and other drug paraphernalia from the property.
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Since January, 2015, Edmonton Police Service has visited the property more than 250 times, and says it’s been a hub for illegal drug trafficking.
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“Throughout the last few years we’ve had a number of complaints come into SCAN (in six investigations),” said Schenkey. “In the fall of 2024, SCAN received seven complaints from community members about activities at this property, so it re-emerged on our radar and at that time, the complaints were drug trafficking, drug consumption, drug-impaired people coming and going from the property.”
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“In 2022, there were two fatal drug overdoses at this property, and even just over a month ago there was a suspected drug overdose at this property, so it was been chronically used for drug activities.”
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Schenkey said the SCAN team took a unique approach when it secured the latest 90-day closure order on the property.
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The lead investigator on the case asked the courts to consider putting tougher conditions on this closure order, which the courts granted.
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“Now, only the owner is allowed to reside at the property, and he can’t have occupant visitors, or anyone living with him, and that restricts his ability to continue to allow these drug activities to happen at the property, and it’s in place for three years,” said Schenkey.
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Schenkey said when those conditions were put in place, the owner put the property up for sale, and if the sale goes through, new ownership of the property will go into affect in September, after the court order expires.