Teen pleads guilty to several drug trafficking charges
Guilty pleas to multiple drug trafficking counts were entered Tuesday by a 19-yearold Medicine Hat man — one of dozens arrested following a month-long operation by Medicine Hat police into street-level drug trafficking and property crime.
Chance Newall pled guilty to four trafficking counts that stem back to May and June this year when undercover officers arranged and purchased cocaine from Newall three times, with a total of 11.7 grams with a street value of $1,170 seized.
Newall also pled guilty to more recent charges including meth possession, breaching a release condition, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
According to an agreed statement of facts read into court, police were investigating two people believed to be trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, with an undercover officer arranging to purchase drugs. When one of these accused was taken into custody, police seized an unlocked cell phone where numerous text and facebook conversations arranging the sale of drugs were occurring.
From these, police made an arrangement to purchase cocaine from Newall, and then arrested him. The cocaine Newall was attempting to sell was actually baking soda.
Newall has no criminal record, and defence counsel requested a pre-sentencing report before sentencing.
Newall was granted release on $5,000 no cash bail until sentencing, with the condition of 24/7 house arrest.
Operation suppression
Police announced Tuesday that following the month-long “operation suppression,” more than 20 people have been arrested over drug-related charges, while stolen property charges were laid against 29 people. Some 70 people were also charged as police focused on enforcing court-ordered release conditions, such as curfews.
During the “operation” police estimate $20,000 in methamphetamine was removed from city streets, and more than $10,000 in stolen property was recovered.
Education was been a part of MHPS’s focus, with police giving public updates of stolen vehicles, and reminding people about the importance of locking vehicles.
The 30-day initiative was a joint project between Medicine Hat police’s organized crime section and priority street crime unit, said Insp. Brent Secondiak, explaining that trafficking and property crimes are closely linked — for example, those involved with the drug culture often steal vehicles to commit secondary crimes such as trafficking and robberies.
The focus on low-level trafficking was due to “alarming trends” said Secondiak, including overt selling of meth in the community, and to stem the flow of meth into the community. Some mid-level dealers were also arrested, he said.
Secondiak said police hope that those profiting from selling the drugs will do some “serious” jailtime — while those with addiction issues can use things like court mandated supports to get the help they need. He added that police continue to work with other community organizations to address the “root causes” of these issues, including addictions.