The Wood Buffalo RCMP received a tip on drug trafficking through Crime Stoppers. Someone reported that a male and female were dealing drugs from an apartment building in Thickewood, and on July 15, 2016 the Wood Buffalo RCMP Drug Unit responded and 2 individuals were arrested. According to Cpl. George Cameron, the spokesperson for the Wood Buffalo RCMP, an investigation was opened after the tip was sent in at the beginning of June. Cameron explained “There was enough evidence in order for the courts to grant a search warrant. This a good example of where Crime Stoppers does work. It got more drugs off our streets.” During a search of the premises officers found and seized more than 1 fentanyl pill, around 144 grams of cocaine, and also around 50 grams of marijuana.
After the drug trafficking tip to Crime Stoppers was given to police the Wood Buffalo RCMP arrested 19 year old Jennie Podanovitch and 19 year old Tristen Bradbury, both Fort McMurray residents, when the pair were leaving their residence on Signal Road in Thickewood. Police also found roughly $35,000 in cash which is believed to be drug trafficking proceeds, as well as a shotgun and ammunition for the weapon. Cpl. Cameron could not yet give a specific street value for the drugs found but estimated that they had a value in the thousands of dollars. Both teens are facing charges for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl, possession of property obtained by crime, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and unsafe storage of a firearm. In addition Podanovitch also has a separate marijuana trafficking charge pending as well.