Maskwacis: 9 charged, $103,000 in drugs seized in RCMP investigations

The RCMP say nine people have been charged in three drug investigations linked to Maskwacis, Alta., in 2026. Police said they seized drugs valued at approximately $103,000, along with a firearm, ammunition and cash.

Ermineskin search

The first investigation began in February and led police to search a residence on Ermineskin First Nation on Sept. 22. Police said they seized 70.5 grams of cocaine.

Shannah Crane and Clinton Potts, both of Maskwacis, are each charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine and one count of possession of cocaine. Both were arrested and released to appear in Edmonton Court of Justice on Jan. 13, 2027.

Firearm and drugs

A second investigation began in March after police received information that someone was selling guns and drugs to Maskwacis community members. On Oct. 20, police seized a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun, brass knuckles, ammunition, 44.7 grams of cocaine and 31.5 grams of methamphetamine.

Lance Padgham of Ponoka is charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine, two of trafficking methamphetamine, two of weapons trafficking and one of unauthorized possession of a firearm. He was arrested and released and is scheduled to appear in Ponoka Court of Justice on Nov. 20, 2026.

Investigation leads to Edmonton

A third investigation began in June and led investigators to Edmonton. Over four months, police identified six people as part of a drug trafficking network spanning multiple communities in the Edmonton area. A search warrant was executed and arrests were made at various locations on Sept. 11, police said.

Police reported seizing 775.19 grams of cocaine, 136 oxycodone tabs, 191 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 40 Xanax tabs, four LSD tablets, 1.25 grams of methamphetamine and $362,611.75 in Canadian currency.

Navjit Grewal of Edmonton is charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine, one count each of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms, and five counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. Danette Crouter of Edmonton faces three cocaine trafficking counts, the same two possession-for-trafficking charges and four counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Taryn Gladue, Shawna Choi and Norvisi Amedoadzi of Edmonton, and Terren Arcand-Ward of Enoch, are each charged with trafficking cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. All six were arrested and released to appear in Edmonton Provincial Court on Jan. 13, 2027.