This release was issued under a previous government.

Drug house shut down in Medicine Hat

SCAN unit investigators have obtained a court order authorizing them to shut down a Medicine Hat drug house.

Under the authority of a court order, the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit is closing the property at 1170 Bridge Street for 90 days by boarding the house, changing the locks and erecting a fence around it. The owner and all occupants are required to vacate the property.

“Our government’s priority is the safety and security of Albertans. This closure is the outcome of another successful partnership between the SCAN unit and the Medicine Hat Police Service to keep crime out of our communities.”  

Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

It is the third drug house closure in the city by SCAN and the Medicine Hat Police Service since 2016, and follows a joint investigation in response to complaints by neighbourhood residents. The investigation, which began in October 2016, included extensive surveillance of the house, during which time SCAN members observed evidence of drug activity. Medicine Hat police officers had previously made several drug seizures and arrests at the property.

SCAN used its evidence, along with intelligence gathered by the Medicine Hat Police Service, to obtain a community safety order in Court of Queen’s Bench on Aug. 24, 2017. SCAN will continue to monitor the property following today’s closure.

SCAN works with municipal law enforcement agencies to shut down properties being used for illegal activities. Investigations are conducted by sheriffs with specialized training to enforce the SCAN legislation.


Media Availability: SCAN Insp. Mike Letourneau and Insp. Brent Secondiak from the Medicine Hat Police Service will be available between 1:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. for on-camera interviews at 1170 Bridge Street SE, Medicine Hat.