Since September of this year police in Fort McMurray have arrested at least 17 individuals who are alleged to be drug dealers. This leads many t ask if the region is attracting these types of criminals. During the arrests and investigations police have seized large amounts of drugs and cash, as well as taking a number of weapons off the street. One raid alone on October 23 led to the discovery of almost $10,000 in cash, approximately half a kilogram of cocaine, and a loaded Sig Sauer handgun with a magazine that had a capacity which was prohibited. The weapon also had the serial numbers removed. Many of the suspected drug dealers arrested had ties to other areas in the country.

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team Inspector Chad Coles discussed the recent arrests of suspected drug dealers in Fort McMurray, saying “These members are part of a larger group that has been very transitory between Fort McMurray, Toronto and Edmonton. Because of the transitory nature of these groups, they’re very difficult to investigate. These individuals are transitory. They go where they can make money. They’re profit-driven and they have no regard for public safety.” There have been a large number of shootings in the region over the past year and many point to the drug trade in the area as the cause of these violent acts. Wood Buffalo RCMP Superintendent Rob McCloy explained drug dealers operating in the area,” “We believe these incidents are connected to the illegal drug trade in conflict between rival group. Our approach has been to suppress violence through visible police presence, through uniformed Wood Buffalo RCMP members and drug enforcement. It is working and has worked.”