Valleyview RCMP seize drugs, guns in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation; 4 charged

Four adults from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Alberta, face drug trafficking and firearms charges after Valleyview RCMP officers executed a search warrant at two homes in the community on May 5, 2026. Police said they seized multiple firearms, prohibited firearms and weapons, ammunition, about 84 grams of cocaine and about 214 grams of methamphetamine.

The four accused, all residents of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, range in age from 18 to 42. Police said several of them were already subject to court-ordered conditions and firearm prohibitions at the time. The charges have not been proven in court.

What police seized

According to the RCMP, officers seized the following items during the search of the two residences:

• Multiple firearms
• Prohibited firearms
• Prohibited weapons
• Ammunition
• Approximately 84 grams of cocaine
• Approximately 214 grams of methamphetamine

The warrant was executed with help from the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, the Western Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit and other supporting units.

Charges

28-year-old

A 28-year-old man or woman from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation was charged in connection with the May 5 search with:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a firearm contrary to order (six counts)
• Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
• Possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Careless use of a firearm
• Altering or tampering with a firearm serial number

Based on information from a concurrent investigation linked to an incident on May 1, 2026, the same 28-year-old was also charged with:

• Possession of a firearm contrary to order (six additional counts)
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Careless use of a firearm

42-year-old

A 42-year-old resident was charged with:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Careless use of a firearm
• Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition

40-year-old

A 40-year-old resident was charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a weapon (two counts)

18-year-old

An 18-year-old resident was charged in connection with the May 5 search with:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Failure to comply with a release order (five counts)
• Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Careless use of a firearm
• Altering or tampering with a firearm serial number

From the concurrent investigation tied to the May 1 incident, the 18-year-old was also charged with:

• Failure to comply with a release order (two additional counts)
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Careless use of a firearm

Court appearances

All four accused were brought before a justice of the peace. Police said the 28-year-old, the 42-year-old and the 18-year-old were remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Valleyview on May 7, 2026.

The 40-year-old was released on conditions and was scheduled to appear in the same court on May 21, 2026.

Valleyview RCMP thanked members of the public and the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation community for their help with the investigation.

This story is based on an RCMP news release.