Man facing charges after large cocaine bust

Police have seized nearly 12 ounces of cocaine, more than $37,000 in cash and illegal hand weapons following a month-long investigation by ALERT into suspected drug trafficking.

On Oct. 9, Medicine Hat police and ALERT executed search warrants on two homes in the city — one in the North Flats neighbourhood and the other on Red Deer Drive — where they uncovered 347 grams of cocaine, $37,515 in cash, two pairs of brass knuckles and a covert belt knife.

Shane Peters, 34, was arrested upon leaving the house in the Flats. He faces charges of possessing cocaine for the purposes of trafficking, possessing the proceeds of crime, possessing a prohibited weapon and breaching a court order.

“The drug trade is an inherently violent business, and in this case the suspect was bound by a weapons prohibition,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser of ALERT Medicine Hat.

Fraser told the News that both the houses searched belonged to the accused — the one in the Flats was his residence, while the other was a “stash location.”

He says weapon and drug seizures often go hand in hand.

“It’s pretty common for drug dealers to carry weapons so they don’t get ripped off, or if they need to collect a debt they have something with them,” said Fraser.

ALERT began investigating in September after receiving a tip from a member of the community.

“If you live anywhere in the city, people pay attention to their neighbours,” Fraser said.

He says Peters was granted bail “on some strict conditions” and that police “will be keeping tabs on him, so he abides by the conditions.”

Peters’ next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 21.