More than $90,000 in drugs and cash seized in drug trafficking investigation
Following a three-month investigation into suspected drug trafficking, we’ve charged three individuals and seized more than $90,000 in drugs and cash.
In July 2025, officers from the District 4 Operations Team, with the assistance of members from the Calgary Police Service Tactical Unit, Canine Unit, District 4 Community Engagement Response Team and District 4 patrol, launched an investigation into three individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.
As the investigation progressed, a search warrant was executed on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at multiple residences associated to the suspects. These included locations in the 1300 block of 39 Street S.E., 100 block of Manora Crescent N.E. and the 270000 block of Inverlake Road in Rocky View County.
The search resulted in the seizure of:
- Approximately 502.3 grams of suspected cocaine, worth an estimated street value of $50,230
- Approximately 434.6 grams of suspected fentanyl, worth an estimated street value of $43,460
- Approximately 152 grams of suspected methamphetamine, worth an estimated street value of $3,040
- Approximately 388 pills of suspected gabapentin
- 20 cartons of contraband cigarettes
- A Ruger 10/22 rifle
- $2,000 in Canadian currency
- A digital weigh scale
As a result, Christopher Wade SMITH, 53, is charged with:
- Four counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking
- One count of careless storage of a firearm
- One count of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- One count of fraud under $5,000
- One count of proceeds of crime under $5,000
- One count of trafficking in contraband tobacco
SMITH will next appear in court on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.
Dion Lynn BUTLER, 55, is charged with:
- Four counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking
- One count of proceeds of crime under $5,000
BUTLER will next appear in court today, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.
Cortney Ellen DENEVE, 36, is charged with:
- Four counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking
- One count of careless storage of a firearm
- One count of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- One count of trafficking in contraband tobacco
- Two counts of breach of a release order
DENEVE will next appear in court on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
We would like to thank the Royal Mounted Canadian Police for their assistance with this investigation. We are committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect Calgarians from the harmful impacts of drug trafficking and related violence.
Anyone with information related to suspected drug trafficking activity occurring in Calgary is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
Case #: CA25375258/5699
