The man found injured in a raid on an alleged drug house in Peace River had reportedly been tortured since the previous day. Peace Regional RCMP and the Emergency Response Team searched the home in Peace River on March 3rd, finding the victim, a large amount of illegal drugs and several weapons.
The drug bust included 230 grams of marijuana, more than 220 grams of heroin, over 213 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, 120.5 grams of hashish, nearly 40 grams of meth and 10 tablets of MDMA. RCMP also seized a number of pills and powders that haven’t yet been identified, $1000 cash, and several weapons. They include 12 long barrel guns, with one’s serial number altered, a sawed off prohibited shotgun, two handguns, and a prohibited magazine that can hold 30 rounds.
Staff Sergeant Brent Meyer says that as soon as officers arrived with search warrants, it was obvious they’d come across another serious crime. It’s believed the man from McLennan had been forcibly confined to the house on 82nd Avenue and 94th Street since March 2nd. He was restrained, burned and beaten over hours, and taken to an Edmonton hospital once rescued.
“RCMP believe this to be an isolated, drug related and targeted offence where there is no further risk to the general public,” says Meyer. “This was definitely a situation of the RCMP being in the right place at the right time in order to stop the above offence.”
Seven people were originally taken into custody, and six were charged with firearms related offences and breaching recognizance. One was also charged with seven counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Four of those Peace River residents are now facing additional charges of conspiracy to commit forcible confinement, forcible confinement, aggravated assault, and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. 31 year old Eugene L’Hirondelle, 47 year old Darren Taylor, 35 year old Kimberly Stranaghan and 27 year old Travis Cardinal Alberta remain in police custody with a bail hearing set for Monday, March 20th.
42 year old Lilly Lizotte of Grimshaw and Deva Ominayak of Cadotte Lake were the other two women charged initially. Taylor is facing the drug trafficking charges.