In April 2022, members of the Maskwacis General Investigation Section (GIS) became aware through criminal intelligence that an individual was transporting illegal drugs into the four communities of Maskwacis. To tackle this, Project “Medicinae” was launched. In the following months, with assistance from the St. Albert RCMP Drug Unit, Maskwacis GIS would go on to identify the individual responsible for bringing the illegal drugs into the community, and the street level trafficker who was selling those drugs.

On Wednesday, May 11 2022, Maskwacis GIS and the St. Albert RCMP Drug Unit executed three search warrants at a residence within the City of St. Albert, a residence on the Samson Cree Nation, and one vehicle. As a result, police located and seized the following items:

  • 121 grams of cocaine, valued at $10,500
  • $1200.00 in cash 

Cory Potts, a 47-year-old male from the Samson Cree Nation, and Rusty Potts, a 37-year-old male from St. Albert, were charged with Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking. Rusty also faces one additional count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000. 

“This is a significant seizure of illegal drugs that won’t be distributed into our communities, and a thank you to the St. Albert RCMP for your help.” says Cst. Jake Colbeck of the Maskwacis RCMP. “This is a great example of two detachments working together with the goal of disrupting and dismantling the illegal drug trafficking that is going on.” 

Cory and Rusty were released from police custody to attend court at a later date. Rusty is scheduled to appear in St. Albert Provincial Court on Monday, June 6, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., and Cory is scheduled to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.

drugs