Fentanyl dealer arrested after tips from public

A fentanyl dealer believed connected to at least one overdose death has been arrested.

In July 2015, police received multiple Crime Stoppers tips about a man dealing fentanyl that tipsters claimed was also responsible for providing fentanyl to a man who died as a result in May. An investigation by the Calgary Police Service Drug Unit ensued.

On Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, Innisfail RCMP responded to a hotel in the community for complaints about one of the guests providing false vehicle information and behaving strangely. When RCMP arrived on scene, they found evidence of drug-related activity and identified one of the men believed to be involved. The Calgary Police Service Drug Unit was alerted due to the connection to their ongoing investigation into the man’s activities and joined the RCMP in the Innisfail investigation.

A safe was located in the man’s possession that had approximately $30,000 cash, bundled in packages of $1,000 each. A vehicle was also searched. In total, approximately $36,000, 46 fentanyl tablets and five grams of cocaine were seized.

It is believed the man involved was distributing fentanyl to a number of central Alberta communities, including Calgary, Cochrane, Okotoks, Chestermere, Strathmore, Claresholm and High River. Tips allege he was distributing approximately 500 fentanyl tablets per day.

Brian CRANE, 26, of Okotoks, was charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

The investigation by the CPS Drug Unit continued and on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, patrol officers pulled over a vehicle in the community of Deer Run in Calgary. Police arrested two occupants, a man and a woman. A subsequent search of the vehicle located $355 cash, 61 fentanyl pills, 0.8 grams of cocaine, 1.6 grams of heroin and multiple cell phones.

Brian CRANE was again charged with two counts of trafficking in fentanyl, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of heroin and possession of cocaine. CRANE will appear in court on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, to face the Calgary charges.

Rachael CHAFE, 19, of Okotoks, is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of heroin and possession of cocaine. She will next appear in court on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016.

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank the members of public who provided information to assist in this investigation.