On January 29, 2016 RCMP seized around 500 rounds of ammunition during two drug raids on the same day. Wood Buffalo has seen a rise in drug related crimes that include shootings and murders. According to the news reports the Wood Buffalo RCMP unit recovered the hundreds of ammunition rounds as well as drugs including cocaine and over 00 fentanyl pills, plus they recovered two handguns and a credit card scamming machine in the raids. The drug raids occurred in neighborhoods in Timberlea and Thickwood. A statement by Wood Buffalo RCMP spokesperson Cpl. George Cameron explained “That’s quite a bit (of ammunition). On average— I don’t want to give away our secrets as to how much each member carries on his person, but… yeah, that’s a lot. That much ammunition for a handgun, why would anyone want that amount other than for crime-related activities?”

As a result of the two drug raids which recovered approximately 500 rounds of ammunition 3 residents of Fort McMurray are currently facing charges. 26 year old female Rochell Donnica Wilson is facing a total of 13 charges which include possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon. According to police 12 of the 13 charges Wilson is acing are weapons related offences. Also charged was 29 year old Gadid Oman Ahmed who faces two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, plus six court ordered condition violations. The third Fort McMurray resident is a 37 year old whose charges are currently pending.