RCMP Alert: Firearms and Fentanyl Seizure Near Cochrane, Alberta

Community Safety Alert Overview

In February 2026, the Cochrane RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) launched an investigation into a report that a firearm had been pointed on Stoney Nakoda First Nation in Alberta. Through this investigation, officers identified a vehicle believed to be linked to the suspect and continued to track its movements over several months.

On June 10, 2026, members of the CRU located this vehicle, unoccupied, outside a residence. After lawfully entering the home, officers found two individuals who had recently been using the vehicle. Both men had active warrants and were arrested. A restricted firearm with a prohibited magazine was seen inside the residence, leading to a wider search and a significant seizure of drugs and weapons.

Official Incident Details

Following the initial arrests, a search warrant was obtained for both the residence and the associated vehicle. During the warrant execution, officers seized several firearms and a range of controlled substances, including potent opioids.

Arrested Individuals

• Nathan Matinet, 29, resident of Calgary, Alberta
• William Rider, 24, resident of Calgary, Alberta

Both individuals had outstanding warrants at the time of arrest.

Seized Firearms and Weapons

• Restricted 9mm handgun
• Prohibited extended-capacity magazine
• Sawed-off rifle

Seized Drugs

• Approximately 47.7 grams of fentanyl
• Approximately 17.8 grams of cocaine
• Approximately 10.6 grams of methamphetamine
• Approximately 1 gram of MDMA (ecstasy)

Key Criminal Code Charges

Both accused have been charged with a total of 30 Criminal Code offences. Among these, the RCMP highlight the following categories of charges:

• Unauthorized possession of a weapon
• Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
• Careless use of a firearm
• Possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking
• Multiple offences related to failing to comply with court-ordered conditions

After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, both men were remanded into custody. They are scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Cochrane on June 23, 2026.

The Cochrane RCMP CRU states that it remains focused on identifying and disrupting drug trafficking and violent criminal activity affecting Stoney Nakoda First Nation and surrounding communities. Incidents involving firearms and hard drugs such as fentanyl are a major driver of community harm across Canada, including in smaller and rural areas that may not always appear in headline crime statistics, such as those tracked for regions like Cochrane-area communities in Canada.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident underscores how closely linked illegal firearms and drug trafficking are to elevated risks of overdose, violent crime, and community instability across Alberta. The seizure of fentanyl in particular is significant, as even small quantities can be lethal and contribute directly to overdose deaths and medical emergencies.

Residents in and around Cochrane and Stoney Nakoda First Nation can support community safety by staying alert to suspected drug houses, unusual short-stay traffic patterns at residences, and visible firearms or weapons. Without placing yourself at risk, report suspicious activity to local police or, where available, Crime Stoppers. Patterns of drug trafficking and weapons offences can emerge in many regions of Canada, from major urban centres to smaller communities tracked in national datasets like those for Cochrane-region statistics. Consistent reporting and information-sharing with law enforcement remain essential tools in preventing overdoses and reducing firearm-related harm.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.